With all 3 network affiliates (WCSH, WGME and WMTW) planning to come online in the next couple of months, I thought it would be good to start a thread about their progress. Although, I won't be in my summer home in Kennebunkport until next month, it would be great to know if other forum members are from this area. The SE VA DTV thread had been successful due to the fact that the engineers for the affiliates here have been participating. It would be great to get some participation from the Portland station engineers too. Any interest in this thread?

Does anybody actually live in Maine?

From the lack of response to this post, (and because I haven't been there for 5 months now), I'm not so sure anymore.

Ain't no one up here but us chickens!
With all 3 network affiliates (WCSH, WGME and WMTW) planning to come online in the next couple of months
Is this true? Any info on this would be appreciated.
Ken

When I lived for a year in Portland, I couldn't understand why the whole country doesn't pack up and move to Maine. It's an incredibly beautiful state. Glad to know it will be joining the HDTV world (eventually).

Maine is Beautiful, but it has no JOBS, hence the reason I am in Virginia, but when I get my Millions, I am moving back to Maine!

I am patiently waiting for WCSH, WGME and WMTW to start broadcasting High Definition. I live in Steep Falls, Maine and I am looking forward to watching some HD programming!

I'll be in K'port by the end of the month. My latest news (about 2 months old now), was that WGME and WMTW were about ready (by May 1st) and WCSH was trailing and wouldn't start until summer. WCSH and I think WGME have filed for 6 month extensions, but may not need the whole time. I'll try emailing the engineers again and see what response I get. Any other Mainiacs around?

Here! We'll sort of. Actually outside Philly just getting my HD together. But! I grew up in Maine (around Portland) and have a lot of friends back home eyeing my new fangled things. :) So, in addition to looking out for info relating to whenever Comcast and CBS might patch things up here in Philly, I'm keeping an eye on the happening's back home. Let me know what you find!
Of course I think this thread may need to move to the new "local" forum.

Just got this back from WMTW:

"Dear Mr. Francis,

WMTW TV plans to have its DTV broadcast on the air in mid June
or early July. We are currently installing the digital transmitter and
plan to have the digital antenna (Channel 46) up in late May or early
June. We plan to initially transmit in standard definition to be followed
later by full high definition (720 progressive).

Thank you for inquiring about WMTW DT - we look forward to serving
you....

Regards,
Jack Conner
Director of Engineering
WMTW Broadcast Group, LLC"

Not good. HD transmissions are even later.

Further update:

Just talked with Craig Clarke - WGME chief engineer. He hopes to begin testing on system next week with evening broadcasts starting by May 1. He will be using a temp antenna aimed at Portland until about mid-June when his full antenna goes on-line.

I just moved to Maine in October, my wife made me ;-).
Carried my Mits 55805, DISH 6000, Lex DC-1 ... with me.
In particular I am in Hermon, just outside of Bangor. Is that close enough for you southerners ? Relative to Aroostook County it is quite south. I can receive Augusta's WCBB-DT PBS with a quick and dirty RS ant installed on an 8 ft ladder in the back yard before winter set in. Signal strength ~75. Preparing for a full clean install here soon. According to the marketing folks at the local CBS affiliate WABI channel 5 they have a tower ready and sb broadcastiong by the end of May. progress !

I am receiving WGME digital channel 13.1 tonight in Steep Falls, Maine with a signal strength of 75 using a Sony HD-100 receiver and a Channel Master 4248 UHF antenna hooked up to a Channel Master Spartan 3 mast mounted amplifier. It appears to be a standard definition rebroadcast of analog channel 13. Well done WGME! I will be watching for CBS HDTV!

Just got my signal of WGME in Kennebunkport. It's around 60 with a CM 80" UHF antenna in my attic and a Zenith DTV1080 receiver. Hopefully, WMTW will follow along soon.

ken,
my father has a place by you, so im interested in what ill be able to watch when i come visit.

Hello, like I posted on the past thread, yesterday I asked the woman at time warner if they had any news on HD for greater Portland. I have asked this numerous times in the past, only to be given a blank stare and told that they already had it, digital..... I then had to explain the differences to them and explain that time warner had HD in many other markets already. This time, however, the woman said they had received numerous emails about this, explaining it to them. She stated that it was her understanding that they would have High def up and running very soon. I pushed her on this a bit, and she said within 2 months she thought. Now Maine has lots of different cable companies, some I think are rather slow, Portland's time warner has been very progressive, we have had Road runner for 5 years I think, so I wouldn't be at all surprised, and very pleased, to see it soon. Here's hoping!!!!!

WGME raised the power of their transmission yesterday, now my signal strength meter is pegged at 100. I sent an e-mail to Craig Clark - WGME's Chief Engineer telling him that I was receiving the broadcast and I also asked him if he could give a time frame for when they would be broadcasting in High Def, this is his response:

Thanks for the email. We are on low power so this is nice to see. We will up the power this week and again in late June.

The HD encoders are on back order so I have no time frame for you. But I will keep working on it. Craig Clark

Live in Exeter,NH half way between Boston and Portland. Receive most of the Boston stations 5/5 but could not receive 13-1 last night on Zenith 1080. Antenna was trurned directly to where I normally receive channel 13 analog.Any suggestions. Bill

Bill, do you have a mast mounted amplifier hooked to your antenna? If not, that may help. I think that Radio Shack has them for $40. Also make sure that you have your receiver set to UHF channel 38 when you search for the signal, it should remap to channel 13.1

Ron

I was looking forward to CSI last night in HD. I had no idea WGME was lacking the HD equipment. Talked with Craig Clarke today. It's a money issue not a backorder issue. He needs $50K for an HD encoder. I just emailed their general manager, Alan Cartwright requesting that he budget the funds. I suggest that any in the area that are interested in HD do the same.
acartwri@wgme.sbgnet.com

Maine HD Viewer: Thanks for the help. Have Blake top of the line UHF antenna with 6 dB more gain than 4228 plus preamp. Get boston stations without problem. Matter of fact, the Zenith will accept channel 38 analog from Boston when it is pointed away. But directly on Portland, still won't recognize 38 digital. Will try again tonight. Thanks. Bill

Tried again last night but failed to pick up signal in Exeter NH, of 13(38-1).
Are they at full strength? I don't understand this as I get 6,8, and 13 analog with no problem, and little snow.
Bill

After getting discouraged that WGME and WMTW won't be high def for some time, I decided to point my attic antenna in the opposite direction last night. From Kennbunkport, I suddenly had all 5 networks from Boston, with ABC, CBS and PBS all sending HD programming. Fox and NBC were coming in great, too. I am 93 miles from the transmitters. :)

I may have gotten excited too soon. After 2 days & nights of great reception, the last day or so has been so poor, I can't get a locked signal on any Boston station. Oh, well. I thought I was in HD heaven. :(

Time Warner out of Portland started carrying HDTV today--Showtime and HBO. Supposedly the cable boxes (Scientific Atlanta 3100HD) will available soon and possibly as soon as tomorrow! If you check the Time Warner Cable of Maine web site and check channels available on digital cable, it now lists the 4 HD channels (two hbo, two showtime channels) in the 500's.

Also, according to the woman I spoke to today, they intend to carry some PBS in HD, and she seemed to think they would add local HDTV broadcasts when they came on line, which in the case of Channel 13 (CBS) might be as soon as a month or so.

Finally something for Maine!

WOOHOOO!!!! I can't wait, looks like I'll be watching some HBO this weekend, hopefully!!!!! Come on time warner lets get CBS up and running quick tooo!!!!

Heard from Craig Clark at WGME. They now have the HD equipment and tried last night with "CSI". The SD channel came through fine (38-1) but the HD channel (38-2) had a carrier signal but no picture or sound. Hopefully, they will have it worked out soon.

Time warner has the HD boxes in stock now!!! I picked one up this morning and set it up at lunch. It seems to be working fine, but I'm not sure how to tell what channels are broadcasting HD signals. I guess I'll have to look around tonight.

Just picked mine up, but I have to wait for a transcoder before I can really use it with my FP. Just a few days, I hope!

Just logged in channel 6-1 in Exeter, NH at better signal strength than the Boston stations. Still can't get 13-1. Is the transmitter on the same antenna or in a different direction from 6. Are there any other digital stationS BROADCASTING FROM Maine?
This is great as NBC and Fox out of Boston are my two weakest stations so at least now I can watch NBC from your neck of the woods.
Bill

I got it set up and running this evening. 2channels of hbo 2 channels of showtime. I guess pbs is in hd also. Psyche!!

WGME did sucessfully send out CSI and Raymond in HD tonight! Only a couple of glitches during 2 commercials - otherwise great picture and sound. I did have to re-add channel 38 (WGME-DTV). It did not map to 13-1 as before but came up 38-1 and 38-2. 38-1 is analog and 38-2 HD.

Excellent Bill! I also am watching WCSH 6-1. I watched the HD broadcast of LA Law the movie last night. So far I can receive WCSH 6-1 and 6-2, WGME 38-1 and 38-2. It appears that WCSH is using 6-1 for HD content and WGME is using 38-2 for HD content. I used to be able to receive the PBS HD demo loop when I lived in Gorham, but I can not receive it at Steep Falls. I am not sure if they stopped broadcasting, or if they are out of my reception range. Looks like digital reception is a lot less forgiving than analog when it comes to distances and objects between the transmit and receive locations. I have not verified it with the two stations, but I believe the antennas are not at the same location which is probably why you are still having difficulty receiving WGME. When they ramp up to full power in June, you might be able to receive them.

Good luck!
Ron

I'm watching the young and the restless (not my favorite show btw) in Hd right now on 38-1 with a bow tie antenna from a 15 year old sony that's lying on top of my Mitsubishi. The signal strength is 100%! I'm receiving 13-1,38-1,and 38-2. 13-1 and 38-2 are both SD and stretched. 38-1 is wide screen hd, the commercials are 4/3. The picture is great,but no sound... Oh wait,the sound just came on. I had no idea it would be this easy!


Ken

Hello all,

Can anyone recommend an antenna installer in the Sanford area? I'm new to the whole ota thing and don't know if I would even be able to get a signal at my location. Is there an inexpensive way to test for an ota signal?


Thanks for any advice,
Mark

Mark, check out this site http://www.antennaweb.org/antennaweb/. You input your address and they tell you what stations you can receive and what antenna you need. You could also experiment with a bow tie antenna.

Antennaweb dosen't have the digital stations listed yet so I'm not really sure about their recommendations. Could I get an adequate bow tie antenna at Radio Shack? I went to Radio Shack looking for information but found that the manager was a little less informed than I am...

Mark

Mark, You're right, antennaweb is a little behind the curve. They only show wenh for my location. A quick search revealed this radio shack bow tie http://support.tandy.com/support_video/39284.htm I cannot recommend this antenna as I know nothing about it.The antenna I'm using is a uhf antenna found on the back
of analog tvs. It is about a foot wide and shaped like a bow tie. I got this antenna from my 19" sony and decided to give it a try. As I said I got 100 signal strength on WGME. I plan to watch Jag later...

I'll pick up a bow tie Wednesday and give it a try. I can pick up the analog channels by putting an antenna out through the skylight but that's obviously not what I'm after. It's quite hilly here but hopefully I'll be able to make something work. Have fun watching Jag.......

Thanks,

Mark

Anybody else watching JAG on 38-1 lose their sound too?

Maine PBS going digital 5/21 http://www.mpbc.org/digital/digital.html

I am interested in what people think of the Time Warner HD. I have just been up and running for a couple days because I had to order a transcoder. Now that I have one (Key digital) I have been very impressed by the quality of the real HDTV programming. Great detail in the picture. I watched some of "A knight's tale" (not much of a movie) and "Apocalypse Now redux" last night and the picture was great on both of them. All (or at least most) of the HBO stuff is in DD 2.0, though. Is that always the case?

Also, I was not prepared for so much non-HD content on the HD channels. It still looks good, but not HD.

Any other opinions?

Channel 6 (NBC) is on the air in HD. Just watched The Preakness this afternoon and looked great. That's 2 out of 3 networks locally. Still not sure on lastest status of WMTW and HD.

Heard from WMTW today - still saying mid-June with no commitment as to how long after before HD - possibly not even before the new fall season.

MPBC will provide the digital signal via: WCBB DT in Augusta (channels 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 and 17.4) Anybody receiving this station?

Ken

I got my Time Warner 3100 HD box a couple of weeks ago and HBOHD looks great.

I am very interested in getting the local stations OTA, but if Time Warner is planning on adding them to the line-up I would just assume wait and not waste the money on an antenna and STB.

Keep the info coming.

Steve
"2002grizzly660"

Get 6 in Exeter NH very strongly but cannot get 13. Where is the antenna located in relation to 6's. Thanks. Bill

Bill,
13 is approx. 8 degrees east of 6's tower and is approx. 69 miles (LOS)from Exeter with 6 being about 61. Hope that helps.

Len

Woo hoo, had been away for a while, but after goofing off a bit last night I am now getting
WCSH (6/44)
WGME (13/38).

On and off I have been getting PBS for a while
WCBB (10/17, was getting mapped to 80)
WNEH (11/57)

I see now that
WMEA (26/45)
WMTW (8/46)

are supposed to be live, but I did not pick them up on a "full scan" last night. Perhaps I need to "tweak and rotate" my antenna.:)

Stephen, in West Buxton... not far from Steep Falls :-)

Hi Stephen, we are practically neighbors! I moved from Windham to Steep Falls last September and lost WCBB. I am able to receive WCSH and WGME, but that is all so far. My house has very tall trees all around it so I am pleased to be able to receive anything via an antenna. :)

I need helps guys. My question is this. Are the channels always broadcasting, which would allow my RCA digital reciver to search and find them or do I have to wait until the shows like CSi comes on then try to get the channel. My problem is, that I can pick up all the regular analog channels but NO digital channels right now, 4:00 pm on Sunday. PLEASE HELP, I'm just dying to get HDTV in my home theater.

Thanks,

Kris Noble

Kris, lately the channels have been on and off air quite a bit, so don't give up, keep performing searches and you are bound to lock in WCSH and WGME if you can catch them when they are on the air. You might want to try peaking your signal on the analog version of the channel first, and then try performing the search for digital channels. Also, I believe that the DTC-100 has a glitch that has to do with the aquire channel guides setting. Try turning that off and see if it helps.

Ron

Ron,

I finally got the digital channel 6, with a 75 power rating and this is in my celar. Now, the channel I really want to get is Digital 13. I tried for 2 hours last night and no such luck. Is this tower weaker than the channel 6? I need help. I was so pissed last night because I missed all of my shows, but I was more pissed because I missed them in HD.

Thanks

Kris

Digital channel 13 was not on the air last night, but I am receiving it right now with a signal strength of 100, I also get a 100 on the signal strength meter with Digital channel 6. But I have a UHF Yagi external antenna pointed toward the station towers. You are doing well to get a 75 in the cellar. Try searching again tonight, you probably would have received channel 13 last night had they been broadcasting.

Why don't 6, 8 & 13 transmit all the time on their digital frequencies? I'm in Windham with a rotatable antenna, so if 8 was showing today's Colorado game digitally, I should definitely be able to see it. If they've invested in the technology, why not use it to attract the biggest audience possible?

Jim

I believe it is because the stations are still in the testing phase of digital broadcasting.

I asked CH8 about their plans for the SuperBowl. The response is canned, except for the paragraph beginning with "Unfortunately"....

"WMTW-DT is now broadcasting in a limited capacity, on digital television
channel 46 from our new transmitter site in West Baldwin, Maine.

Programming on WMTW-DT channel 46 is currently a digital simulcast of the
ABC 8 WMTW analog signal from 8-11 pm Monday through Saturday and 7-11 pm on
Sundays.

We will turn on WMTW-DT channel 46 at noon time on Superbowl Sunday, so all
of the pre-game and game will be seen in SD digital.

Unfortunately, we are not able at this time to provide the "HDTV" version of
digital (the 720p). We hope to install the necessary equipment to upgrade
to ABC network pass through of 720p HD sometime later in 2003.

The whole digital conversion process will take several years. The next step
is to convert our studios to true digital TV and at that point all telecasts
will be in one resolution or the other of digital - standard definition (SD)
or high definition (DH).

Sincerely,

Amy Picucci
Program Coordinator
ABC 8 WMTW

Has anyone done, or could anyone do a summary of DTV programming in the Portland area? I'm looking for something similar to the post I authored for Central Texas, the first post in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=157013).

It is looking more and more like I will be headed to the Portland area this summer (my division was acquired by Fairchild Semiconductor last summer, and South Portland seems the most likely US fab they will relocate to).

I'm out for my first visit to the area the first weekend of February. I've arranged with my relocation company to get a realestate agent to give me a tour of the area. Looks like my wife wants me to look at some of the smaller towns in the area, 30-45 minutes from the Fairchild fab (near the airport). Can anyone comment on the DTV availability out in the boonies, either OTA or via cable, and the prospects for the future? Is it better closer to Portland?

I hear it is chilly up in Maine -- I guess I'm lucky: it was in the 80's here last week! This weekend a cold front is supposed to drop the temperature below freezing; perhaps that will get me ready for the visit. Do y'all have snow on the ground now?

Thanks for your help,

Joe

Well, if any of you still exist, this is the info I have been able to find out about DTV in Maine. Any additions or corrections would be appreciated -- it looks like I am relocating this summer.

Where someone at the station replied to me I listed their name and title (if known), and italicized what they told me.

ERP = effective radiated power
OTA = over the air
STA = special temporary authority

WPME-DT UPN 28 ERP 215 kW not OTA
WPXT-DT WB 4 ERP 10 kW not OTA

Roy Oulette (unknown position)

Our frequencies and power levels did not pass Canadian Coordination so we do not have construction permits for either station. I'm not sure when we will be able to put a digital carrier on the air. We have now entered goverment "red tape" land with the proviso of cross-border relations.


WGME-DT CBS 38 1000 kW ERP OTA STA 500 kW ERP

Craig Clark (Chief Engineer)

We provide a grade A signal into Portland. Our coverage is 65+ miles in all directions.
We are a CBS affiliate. We pass the full 1080i HD feeds from CBS. We do not manipulate the HD feed meaning no local content at this time. As for HD "Local" I have no time table from our owners when we willoriginate HD or even up-convert. We are 1 of 65 stations in our group,we are in line for an up-converter the next time they are purchased.
Hopefully this year. (A)t the end of the digital transition "2006" we will switch our DT on channel 38 to channel 13. We will operate at full power from that point on.

The DT is on the air 4 PM - 11:35 PM M - F Weekends Noon to 11:30. If there is a sporting event in HD we make every effort to put it on the air.


WMTW-DT ABC 46 1000 kW ERP OTA STA 501 kW ERP

Amy Picucci (Program Coordinator)

Programming on WMTW-DT channel 46 is currently a digital simulcast of the ABC 8 WMTW analog signal from 8-11 pm Monday through Saturday and 7-11 pm on Sundays. These hours will increase in April 2003 to 12 noon to 12 midnight, seven days a week.

We anticipate providing HDTV (High Definition Digital, 720p) pass through of ABC network programs sometime in 2004.

WCSH-DT NBC 44 1000 kW ERP OTA STA 500 kW ERP

No Response

From Titan TV, On air 24/7, passing high definition feed when available

WCBB-DT PBS 17 27.9 kW ERP OTA

No Response
From Titan TV, the main channel is off air between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM while the three subchannels are 24/7. The listings on Titan TV do not show high definition; however the Maine PBS website says that it “occasionally” offers high definition shows during prime time.

WMEA-DT (PBS) 45 50 kW ERP OTA

No response. According to TitanTV, WMEA just has the “major” PBS channel; according to the Maine PBS website, it should have the same subchannels as WCBB-DT. All other comments are the same.

WPMX-TV to be WPFO-TV (Fox) No digital assignment

To be FOX some time this year.

Cable Television:

Adelphia Cable does not carry High Definition at this time.

Time Warner Digital Cable carries HD Showtime and HBO (East and West). They “currently plan to carry Maine Public Broadcasting when they launch and are evaluating the Discovery Channel and other High Definition offerings.”

This is off topic, but does anyone remember back in
the 60's when WMTW used to have the weather report
from the top of Mt. Washington? They'd switch
to a black and white camera, and Marty the transmitter
technician would read the report. At the end, he would
crack this wacky ear to ear smile that would just send
myself and my parents into fits of laughter.

former Saco Maine resident,
Ron

Originally posted by DrJoe

WGME-DT CBS 38 1000 kW ERP OTA STA 500 kW ERP
Craig Clark (Chief Engineer)
[i]We provide a grade A signal into Portland. Our coverage is 65+ miles in all directions.
We are a CBS affiliate. We pass the full 1080i HD feeds from CBS. I assume that the chief engineer knows what he is doing. The CBS website is apparently wrong.
http://www.cbs.com/info/hdtv/

They say that this station is standard def only. Click on the Maine map and you will see an asterisk. The legend says:

* Denotes stations that currently broadcast in Standard Definition.

Ron,
I remember well into the 70's when I was Chief of WTOS on Sugarloaf and did the same thing on radio once in a while on ski/maintenance weekends.
I also remember that Jack Paar was one of the owners,(of WMTW that is).
GT

Haven't checked this thread which I started for some time since I'm at my winter home in VA until late April. Sorry to hear that WMTW is not doing HD anytime in 2003. Guess I'll be relying of my ExpressVu for ABC. Overall the NBC & CBS were doing a fairly good job. I did call both stations many times to tell the MCO (Master Control Operator) to either turn on the Digital transmitter or flip the HD switch. Hopefully, it has improved. As for Marty from Mt Wash - he gave his last report from there last fall when he retired.

Originally posted by Bogney Baux
I assume that the chief engineer knows what he is doing. The CBS website is apparently wrong.
http://www.cbs.com/info/hdtv/

They say that this station is standard def only. Click on the Maine map and you will see an asterisk. The legend says:

* Denotes stations that currently broadcast in Standard Definition.

I would think he knows what they are doing; besides, this was confirmed on page two of this thread on 5/10/02 when sdf777 said "WGME did sucessfully send out CSI and Raymond in HD tonight! Only a couple of glitches during 2 commercials - otherwise great picture and sound. I did have to re-add channel 38 (WGME-DTV). It did not map to 13-1 as before but came up 38-1 and 38-2. 38-1 is analog and 38-2 HD."

The map on the CBS site doesn't even link my present local CBS affiliate, KEYE out of Austin, Texas, let alone the fact that KEYE is broadcasting in HD.


Joe

I've emailed the GM at WMTW to see why he won't pass HD from ABC. Why spend 95% and not get the HD bang for the buck with the last 5%. Like spending money 40 years ago for new equipment and not transmitting color.

It is probably just a cost thing -- it is still a significant additional cost, in the 50's to 100's of $k's.

Does anyone know what is up with the supposed Fox afiliate? Is it really going to turn to FOX this quarter? Does anyone have any contacts at the station? My guess is they won't be going digital until 2006, but it would be nice to find out otherwise.



Joe

No reply from WMTW. Not sure why the Fox affiliate jumped ship a year or so ago (for UPN or WB?) Anyway, with Joe Millionaire & Am Idol, they've missed out on some highly rated shows.

Originally posted by sdf777
No reply from WMTW. Not sure why the Fox affiliate jumped ship a year or so ago (for UPN or WB?) Anyway, with Joe Millionaire & Am Idol, they've missed out on some highly rated shows.

Well, I'm not so interested in why the previous Fox station jumped ship -- I'm more interested on when the PAX station, WPMX-TV, becomes WPFO-TV, and picks up Fox. It is supposed to happen in the "first quarter 2003". Like I said, I am not aware of any DTV filings by the station by either the old or new call letters.



Joe

i am going to be moving to limington, maine march 1st. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what antenna I will need to pick up the portland stations?

Thanks!!
Mark

Can any one tell me exactly what to do to start getting HDTV.
John

First, you have to buy a high definition television, and if it doesn't have an internal tuner (most don't) you need to get a set top receiver.

The set top receiver could be stand alone for "over the air" (OTA) digital reception (you will need an antenna), or it could be a dual OTA/DBS receiver (Dishnetwork or DirecTV). If you get a dual OTA/DBS receiver you may need a special satellite dish. You could also sign up for Time Warner digital cable, and request one of their high definition cable boxes (but the high definition digital cable box doesn't tune OTA signals).

Programming that is high definition is limited in Portland.

Over the air you can get high definition programming (when available from the networks -- usually only a few hours per week) from CBS, PBS, and NBC. ABC will go high def some time in 2004, Fox will go "enhanced def" in 2006 -- if a fox station exists at that time, and WB and UPN will go high def some time between now and 2006 depending upon station finances and government red tape.

Over DBS, depending on the service (Dish or DirecTV) you will be able to get a few specialty channels: on DirecTV you can get HDNet, HD PPV, HBO, Showtime, and when it becomes active, NBA-HD. On Dishnetwork, you can get HBO, Showtime, Discovery-HD, CBS-HD (if you can get a waiver from the local CBS affiliate), HD PPV, and NBA-HD.

Over Time Warner Digital cable you can get HBO and Showtime HD east and west, and soon will get PBS-HD. Other local digital feeds may follow.

Several new HD channels are slated to go"live" in 2003, including the National Geographic Channel, Cinemax HD, ESPN HD, and three HDNet sister channels. The satellite services and digital cable may or may not add them when they golive.

Most of these channels (specifically HBO, Showtime and the local digital stations) only carry high definition programming for a small percentage of the day.

Seethe AVS Programming Summary (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=164671) for details on all of the channels.

For the above material (an HDTV, a tuner, and satellite or cable service, and an antenna), you are probably going to have to shell out several thousand dollars. A cheaper way to go might be to get a PC with an HD tuner card and an antenna, but the screen size will be limited to the size of your computer monitor.

Hope this helps,

Joe

Can any one tell me exactly what to do to start getting HDTV.


A good place to get a decent setup would be Sears, they are very active in the roll out of HDTV, consistently available across the country and extremely fair prices. The sales person expertise and knowledge varies, but are decent, they may not be up to date on the expansion modules.

Their Mitsubishi Platinum line of sets are good bang for the buck (a step up from the Mits Gold models at Best Buy) , matched up with a DISH HD6000 and the HD enhancement "8PSK" and HD off air "8VSB" modules will provide a decent selection of HD programming dependant on the off air offerings in your local area. DISH will be releasing a HD PVR soon also. Keep in mind too that just because a local station is broadcasting Digital TV (DTV) they may not yet be capable of passing on the network HD programming and upconverting of their analog signal.

Another thing to keep in mind too is that a HDTV will do great justice to DVD's, an option may be to get an HDTV ready set with a DVD player if don't already have one, then migrate to a receiver at a later date.

I would suggest visiting Sears and some other local retailers, get some ideas and ask questions, then come home to AVS Forum to air out your questions and concerns.


Hoping to see another HDTV'er soon
Regards

Jay

well, I just got my myhd card today and installed it. I don't have an antenna yet but I am able to pick up channel 44-1 and 44-2 with a piece of wire! Is anything in HD on 44? Will I be able to tell the difference on my pc? Do I have to config anything in myhd software to watch hd programming. I am in Limington, right after standish and am going to find a real antenna to try and get more channels. Does anyone have any suggestions, antennaweb says to get a small multi-directional so I'll try that and if it doesn't work I'll get a bigger antenna. Now all I have to do is save up enough for the front projector and I'll be good to go!!

Mark

Hey SW45, just thought I would say hello to my fellow hometheater neighbor. where abouts do you live in Limington? I live on the Deerpond store side of Limington right off of rt117. Just accross the Waterboro town line.

sw45, sorry I forgot to answer you question. I have a medium/small sized multi dir powered antenna IN MY BASEMENT home-theater and I get a 75-85 strength signal. Because we live out in the sticks (we are about 10 miles from all the towers for channel 6, 8, and 13) we are able to use such an inexpensive/small antenna to pick up the HD signal with great results.

Short answer, go to Radio Shack and start with the small multi dir powered antenna and see how that works.

Hope that helps.

FYI - I was doing a little research for my folks in Falmouth and noticed that UPN (WPME), WPMX (IND) and WPMX (PAX) are now slated to begin digital broadcasting on May 1st, 2003.

Originally posted by jkurlanski
FYI - I was doing a little research for my folks in Falmouth and noticed that UPN (WPME), WPMX (IND) and WPMX (PAX) are now slated to begin digital broadcasting on May 1st, 2003.

Where did you notice this?

If it was Titan TV or a like service, I wouldn't trust it. I've found (and many others can confirm) that their live dates are very inaccurate -- they mostly rely on the artificial dates in FCC filings.

Recently, I have received these messages from the stations you mention:

WPME-DT UPN and WPXT-DT WB are owned by the same company. I sent them an email asking about their prospects for digital broadcast. Roy Oulette (unknown position) responded on 2/7/2003: Our frequencies and power levels did not pass Canadian Coordination so we do not have construction permits for either station. I'm not sure when we will be able to put a digital carrier on the air. We have now entered goverment "red tape" land with the proviso of cross-border relations. I suspect if they were really going live on 5/1, he would have known on 2/7, and told me so.

WMPX has not filed for a digital frequency (go to http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html enter WMPX for the call sign, choose output "TV Query", and search), and with the "transition" it is supposedly going through (apparently WMPX has already dropped the PAX affiliation, and is supposedly going to become WPFO-TV affiliated with Fox in the "first quarter 2003") everything is up in the air anyhow. You will notice that the channel Titan TV says WPMX-DT is going live on is also the analog channel -- which means that this is NOT going to happen, at least until analog goes away in 2006 or later.

Sorry to say, I don't think we will see any of these channels "DT" any time soon.


Joe

It was Titan. I was relying on your original email/post but gave it a whirl on Titan to see what came up. You're right too...they're not always very reliable but it seemed to be "new news", which, of course, can be wrong news!
Will be heading that way in a couple weeks. My folks just picked up an HDTV, but the only HD they get is via Time Warner (HBO and SHO) so I promised I'd bring up my OTA STB to see what could be had from their location. Will let you know how I fare.

well, I finally got my sony hs10 and finished assembling my htpc. I am using a myhd card connected to vga port on pj for ota, a radeon 9000 connected w/dvi to pj for dvd and pc use, and my xbox is connected using component cables.

Now, the dvd looks excellent, powerstrip was easy to setup, the xbox looks great but i can't seem to get myhd card to work right? What shows around here are in high def and are they on 1 or 2 subchannel. I pick up 38,44,and 46 no problem but I can switch between analog ota and digital HD ota and not notice much difference so something must be wrong? Hmmm, well I give up for now, time for bed (haven't slept for 2 days since the pj arrived).

Thanks for any help!
sw45

Originally posted by sw45
I pick up 38,44,and 46 no problem but I can switch between analog ota and digital HD ota and not notice much difference so something must be wrong?


Probably nothing is wrong.

Most material that is broadcast digitally is upconverted NTSC -- i.e. they take the regular analog feed, upconvert it to high definition (still 4:3), and transmit it digitally. If the station/network does a good job, it will be sharper than the analog feed, and the color may be a bit better, otherwise it is identical. Generally "local" material (the local news, syndicated material, and the like) is upconverted at the local studio, while network shows (news, reality, and non-HD drams/sitcoms) are upconverted by the network.

As I understand it, the only stations broadcasting in true HD in the portland area are WGME-DT CBS 38, WCSH-DT NBC 44, and WCBB-DT PBS 17/WMEA-DT PBS 45 --- but programming on even these channels is limited. CBS probably has the most HD programming -- you should get the NCAA tournament games on Sat and Mon in HD, and the Masters golf tournament. Pretty much all CBS evening dramas and sitcoms are in HD -- but not news or reality shows, they are upconverted NTSC. NBC has the second most -- several of their sitcoms and dramas are in HD, as is Leno. They have some special sporting events (the winter olympics, the Triple Crown) in HD. PBS has a few specials now and then in HD.

Major digital channels are usually "xx-1". If a station multicasts (like PBS does), then either all the channels are standard definition -or- "xx-1" is in HD and "XX-2" and "XX-3" are in standard definition. Multicasting is generally a bad thing because it takes bandwidth from the major HD channel. Here in Austin, NBC broadcasts HD on their major channel, and has standard definition weather and doppler radar on the second and third subchannels. During the Winter Olympics they dropped the standard definition subchannels to allocate the full bandwidth for the HD channel -- and the result was breathtaking. PBS in Maine may do something similar when they have HD available.

To find out what programming is scheduled in HD, go to www.titantv.com and look at the digital listings for your address. If a show is in HD, it is generally labled as such.

Please realize some of my info could be wrong -- I am not yet in the Portland area (my wife and I head to Lewiston next weekend to look for houses -- hopefully there won't be any snow on the ground!) -- I am going by what the local station engineers have told me by email, and some of that info could be wrong.

take care,

Joe

I'm reposting this from Page 2 of the thread:

this is the info I have been able to find out about DTV in Maine. Any additions or corrections would be appreciated -- it looks like I am relocating this summer.

Where someone at the station replied to me I listed their name and title (if known), and italicized what they told me.

ERP = effective radiated power
OTA = over the air
STA = special temporary authority
Where I give two numbers for ERP, the first is the special temporary authority (usually a lower power than) the second in parentheses is the full rating

WPME-DT UPN 28 ERP 215 kW not OTA
WPXT-DT WB 4 ERP 10 kW not OTA

Roy Oulette (unknown position)

Our frequencies and power levels did not pass Canadian Coordination so we do not have construction permits for either station. I'm not sure when we will be able to put a digital carrier on the air. We have now entered goverment "red tape" land with the proviso of cross-border relations.(2/03)


WGME-DT CBS 38 500 kW ERP STA (1000 kW ERP) OTA

38-1 Simulcast Analog
38-2 High Definition Channel

Craig Clark (Chief Engineer)

38-2 is active from 12:00PM to 12:30AM


WMTW-DT ABC 46 501 kW ERP STA (1000 kW ERP) OTA

Amy Picucci (Program Coordinator)

Programming on WMTW-DT channel 46 is currently a digital simulcast of the ABC 8 WMTW analog signal from 8-11 pm Monday through Saturday and 7-11 pm on Sundays. These hours will increase in April 2003 to 12 noon to 12 midnight, seven days a week.

We anticipate providing HDTV (High Definition Digital, 720p) pass through of ABC network programs sometime in 2004. (2/03)

WCSH-DT NBC 44 500 kW ERP STA (1000 kW ERP) OTA

No Response

From Titan TV, On air 24/7, passing high definition feed when available

WCBB-DT PBS 17 27.9 kW ERP OTA

Response from Dave Roy "Audience Services" concerning the ERP and identical content of WCBB-DT and WMEA-DT.

From Titan TV, the main channel is off air between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM while the three subchannels are 24/7.WCBB and WMEA both “occasionally” offer high definition shows during prime time.

WMEA-DT (PBS) 45 50 kW ERP OTA

All other comments are the same as WCBB-DT.

WPMX-TV formerly PAX to be WPFO-TV (Fox) Not OTA -- No digital assignment

To be FOX some time this year (First Quarter? But First Quarter is over!)

Cable Television:

Adelphia Cable does not carry High Definition at this time.

Time Warner Digital Cable carries HD Showtime and HBO (East and West). They “currently plan to carry Maine Public Broadcasting when they launch and are evaluating the Discovery Channel and other High Definition offerings.”


I'm adding to the list the stations in Bangor (I'm told they may be receivable in Lewiston, where I am moving to) from Jay Ireland's Bangor Post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=233668):

Bangor ME

WVII-DT (ABC) 14 1.84kW ERP STA (532kW ERP) OTA
Simulcast Analog
Contact: engrabc6@wvii.com

WABI-DT (CBS) 19 234kW ERP STA (363kW ERP) OTA
Simulcast Analog
shilz@wabi.com

WLBZ-DT (NBC) 25 500kW ERP STA (1000kW ERP) OTA
HDTV
lgilbert@wlbz.com

WMEB-DT (PBS) 9 15kW ERP OTA
HD/SDTV Multicast Analog

Jay's comments: "It is important to note that ABC and CBS are not currently capable of passing their respective networks HDTV programming to the local market due to the economics of acquiring the necessary hardware.

I have emailed all the local stations and have not found much enthusiasm
with HDTV technical correspondence, replies are more of a reply as a customer service response not a genuine interest in HDTV."

I also note that WVII is using a microwave oven to transmit their signal, so it isn't likely to be picked up far from Bangor.

Does anyone have any updated information to add to the above list?


Joe

Great list. Thanks Doc!
I just found out that I definitely will be moving (back) to Maine this summer - Portland area. When I was visiting my folks a couple weeks back in Falmouth, and I was only able to pull in CBS and NBC after great difficulty with aligning an old roof top antenna. After re-reading your post its possible that ABC just wasn't broadcasting when I scanned for channels.
One thing that threw me and is worth noting: CBS is operating two sub-channels: 13-1 and 13-2, and its 13-2 thats the HD feed. 13-1 is SD only.

Extra Credit question: I'm not sure if I want to go with Time Warner or Direct TV or Dish. I'm a little disappointed with Time Warner only offering HBO and Showtime. I'm a bit spoiled here in Philly with Comcast Sportsnet-HD, and the passthru of NBC, ABC, and PBS. They also have HBO/SHO-HD. Any thoughts on that?

I'll be back in Maine for the summer at the end of the month. It's disappointing that WMTW (ABC) is DT but not HD - Monday night football is in HD this fall. WGME (CBS) & WCSH (NBC) were both pretty reliable with their HD programming last fall. Maybe if enough people email the WMTW general manager, he'll push the HD date up.

so basically what your post just said is that only CBS actually broadcasts hd material, the others aren't on a regular basis yet. That'd explain why the ncaa basketball game looked so incredible while other shows on other channels that were supposed HD didn't look too special. Hmm, now if only I could get a good signal on 38, 44 and 46 come in great but I can't get 38 to stay on a constant signal strength?

Damn, I wish I adelphia had HD since the directv HD receivers are 700 bucks for 3 channels??? Oh well, I'll just have to play xbox games all day!

Originally posted by jkurlanski
Great list.

Thanks :)

One thing that threw me and is worth noting: CBS is operating two sub-channels: 13-1 and 13-2, and its 13-2 thats the HD feed. 13-1 is SD only.

I see! That explains why Titan TV doesn't show anything on 13-1 as HD. I will drop them a note and see if they can add listings for 13-2.

Extra Credit question: I'm not sure if I want to go with Time Warner or Direct TV or Dish. I'm a little disappointed with Time Warner only offering HBO and Showtime. I'm a bit spoiled here in Philly with Comcast Sportsnet-HD, and the passthru of NBC, ABC, and PBS. They also have HBO/SHO-HD. Any thoughts on that?

Well, with Time Warner you also can subscribe to cable broadband.

You might hold off and see if anyone adds ESPN-HD -- maybe it will happen before you move.

There isn't a "killer app" for any of the choices -- DirecTV has HDNet, which is nice; Dish has CBS (which you can get OTA) and Discovery-HD, and Time Warner has cable broadband. They all have HBO/Show-HD. Seems fairly even to me. In Lewiston, there is no HD cable, so I'll go DirecTV (my set, an F38310, has an internal DirecTV HD receiver).

I'm coming up this weekend with my wife for a house hunting forray. Hopefully the snow will be gone!

BTW, sw45, that isn't what he said:

CBS broadcasts HD on subchannel 2, but is "live" afternoons and evenings and when there are HD specials; NBC broadcasts full time and in HD when available from the network; and PBS broadcasts full time and in HD when available. Of the three sources, there is more HD on CBS than NBC, and more on NBC than PBS.


Later


Joe

I just got a reply from TitanTV -- they said they will add 13-2 as of tomorrow.

As a newcomer to the area, is there a Southern Maine "HD Community"? How many folks are there with home theater setups? Are there any local gatherings?

A little about me:

I'm a semiconductor research scientist who was recently "acquired" by Fairchild. They are relocating me from Austin, TX, where I have lived the last 5 years (and 8 of the last 10). I'm originally from Cleveland -- and am excited about the prospect of catching the Indians against the Red Sox in Boston. My wife is from Central Texas, and she is generally amused at my A/V hobby (she thinks I am a nit-picker when it comes to video quality).

I have an RCA F38310 directview 38' 16:9 CRT, with an internal DTC100 ATSC/NTSC/DirecTV tuner. I have a Panasonic RP91 progressive scan DVD player, and a Curtis DVD-1030 Apex clone interlaced player for Region 2 PAL discs, a Kenwood CD425M cd jukebox, a JVC HR-S9800U s-vhs VCR, a Kenwood VR407 DD 5.1/DTS A/V receiver, a ReplayTV 3100 (upgraded 3020), and an X-Box with high definition video pack. In Austin, I use a powered radioshack indoor antenna, however when I get to Lewiston, I expect to install a roof antenna (if there isn't one up already).

We are looking at houses in Auburn/Lewiston, Poland, and Lisbon/Lisbon Falls (I specified a 45 minute drive to the Portland airport for my daily commute; I just asked my agent to expand that to 60 minutes to get some more houses to look at). My wife's 13 year old daughter, and our newborn daughter, will both be living with us.

Nice to "meet" you all,


Joe

I think you may have alienated yourself with that Indians talk. :) Atleast you didn't say you were a Yankees fan.

Originally posted by jkurlanski
I think you may have alienated yourself with that Indians talk.

I was born Alienated....

Indians.... Browns.... Cavs.....

"Curse of the Bambino"? Bah Humbug!


*grin*


Damned Yankees.



Joe

I'm in South Portland and don't have the set up for OTA reception, so I have communicating with TWC here in Portland, especially asking questions about the Masters this week. That was followed by questions concerning the locals going up on cable and this is the reply that I received from TW.

Regarding our carriage of the new ESPN High Definition Channel and other HD product. Time Warner Cable of Maine is currently communicating with all the local broadcasters to find out their plans to carry high definition
programming in sufficient quantity to make it feasible to carry the signals.
As they are able to carry 12 hours or more of true High Def we would consider making the signals available to our customers as we can come to an agreement with each network. We also carry events in High Definition as they are available to us such as the NBA all-star game and the upcoming Masters Golf Tournament. With respect to ESPN it is my understanding that our corporate programming folks are currently talking with ESPN to procure rights to carry the signal and we will be letting everyone know if and when that happens. As I am sure your aware at the moment there is precious little programming available in HDTV format, as you pointed out HBO and Showtime cannot find enough programming at this time to fill an entire day. This is changing and as time goes by there will be many more hours of HD available to programmers and Time Warner is committed to making it available to our customers. Thank you for letting us know of your interest in ESPN, it helps sometimes to get things moving along a faster track.

Michael Clark
Engineering Director
Time Warner Cable of Maine

Originally posted by darey1
I'm in South Portland and don't have the set up for OTA reception, so I have communicating with TWC here in Portland, especially asking questions about the Masters this week. That was followed by questions concerning the locals going up on cable and this is the reply that I received from TW.



Who did you email at TWC? I've sent a couple of emails to their customer service address asking about HD programming and have never received a response.

If he means "12 hours per day", Southern Maine could be waiting for a long long time. This certainly isn't national policy at Time Warner. Here in Austin, -DT channels are being added as they become available and as the station owners negotiate carraige agreements. In some markets (Houston, for instance), all the major -DT channels are carried (Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS).

As far as what is available now, CBS only averages about 20 hours/week week days plus weekend specials. NBC has maybe 10 hours/week plus specials, and ABC has something in between. Nobody I talk to believes that there will be a significant increase -- there CAN'T be -- most local, syndicated programming is repeats of old NTSC shows. About all that can be easily added are the national news/reality shows, plus more of the daytime soaps.


OK, to other news,

Titan TV did indeed add channel 13-2 (CBS-HD); they seem to show it active 24/7, which (from what the station engineer told me) might be incorrect.

Titan TV also shows a new digital channel, WENH-DT 57-1, with PBS Demo programming, out of New Hampshire. Can anyone pick this up? They are broadcasting at fairly high power, 589kW ERP, from Durham, NH, about 60 miles to the south-southwest of Portland.


Take care,

Joe

redinger

I sent my e-mail to customer service on Monday night and received these answers yesterday. You might want to try this address with your questions.

laurie.russell@twcmaine.com

She has been very accommodating

12 hours a day? That IS pretty steep. Sounds like a party-line stance regarding ESPN. Hopefully it doesn't apply to the locals.
You would think TWC Maine would be eager to bring them up as fast as they could. Carriage of local stations has always been an advantage for cable over satellite, and with the terrain issues in Maine you certainly would make a lot of people happy to get the digital feeds over the line instead of OTA.
If they could get the local DTV stations it would be a real bonus and would easily sway me to TWC over DirectTV or Dish when I move up there. Who wants to be on their roof fiddling with antennas....in January? Maybe TWC doesn't know the potential? Think the market penetration is less than it is? Dunno. Guess I can try that email and find out!

It's great to see that that there are others in southern ME since I started the thread. I'm in ME (Cape Porpoise area of Kennebunkport) from late April to late October (should arrive 4/26). I have a 50" Pioneer plasma, DirecTV (Sony 200) for HBO, Showtime & HDNet and OTA stations, a MYHD card in a HTPC to record OTA stations in HD, a Hughes dual recording Tivo for D* (SD) and a Bell ExpressVu (Canadian) receiver for all networks in HD from both coasts. The WMTW non-HD is a disappointment, but I can still watch ABC in HD, just not record it. See you all up there soon.

What a surprise yesterday when I checked out the HDTV lineup. Not only was the Masters channel on the line up, but channel 513 was labelled WGME and it was actually showing the prime time line up in HD for those shows scheduled to be HD. The drawback was that there was no audio, but this is an encouraging sign that a deal has been struck between TW and WGME and testing is taking place OR this channel is up just for the weekend, since the Masters are on. I will keep all those in Southern Maine posted as to the status of WGME and TW. Here keeping the fingers X'd that it's here to stay.

WGME HD had no audio on ota reception either last night. Hmm, it did look good though. I just wish adelphia would get HD so I don't have to spend 700 for a satellite receiver. Now if I can figure out how to use dscaler I can use my regular directv for the projector!

I have adelphia, too. I wouldn't count on HD from them anytime soon. TW & Cox seem to be rolling out HD the quickest. I don't know of any adelphia HD locations.

Just put an offer on a house in Greene.

One-hour commute for me but my wife loves the house.


We'll see what develops.



Joe

Originally posted by DrJoe
Just put an offer on a house in Greene.


After this winter, they should call it White :)

Hey Joe, good luck with the house!

Here's what I got when I sent another email to the customer service email address at TW:

"I'm unsure if we have a definite answers for future HD offerings. We currently don't offer CBS in HD. I know the local affiliates for NBC, CBS, and ABC are currently testing their HD signals but have not told us when they would be available. I know this probably doesn't help but nothing is sure yet."

Unfortunately, nothing useful. The two trees that are preventing me from receiving Dish or DirectTV are being brought down right now (don't worry, I'll plant more!) I guess at this point, it's time to subscribe to one of those services.

A quick update as promised. I got home from work today and turned on Channel 513 (where they carried the CBS HD Pass Thru all weekend for the Masters and labeled it WGME) and it was gone. I had my hopes up that they reached an agreement with at least one local. Guess it was just for the weekend! As redinger has already stated, we really don't know when we will be getting the locals on a regular basis. Really disappointing! The signal was great all weekend, even watched some shows on CBS I normally would not watch, just because it was HD. Back to waiting and asking TW. As an aside, I did receive an e-mail from WMTW (ABC) and they don't even have the equipment for the pass thru. They are talking about Late 2003 or early 2004. There goes MNF.

Originally posted by darey1
As an aside, I did receive an e-mail from WMTW (ABC) and they don't even have the equipment for the pass thru. They are talking about Late 2003 or early 2004. There goes MNF.

Yep, and this is the killer for me. Actually, I haven't even heard late 2003 yet, DrJoe has been reporting that their station manager says 2004. But for me - when I bought my TV at the beginning of the year, I was looking forward to 3 HD football games a week. The CBS Sunday game, ESPN Sunday Night and ABC Monday Night. And of course playoffs and SuperBowl. If I could get this all from one box (Dish + OTA or TW), they would have my money. But between our local ABC affialite not providing this year, and the ESPN-HD fiasco, I might just end up picking up a cheap, used OTA receiver from ebay, and just watching the CBS games that way this year. Perhaps I'll get a DirecTv receiver, and hope they add ESPN. The only thing that makes me reconsider TW is because they provided that feed for the Masters, and that is hopeful.

Maybe next year will look better for HD in Maine. Thanks to all you guys reporting the status!

Here is the e-mail from WMTW. Just wanted to show that there a little ray of hope for late 2003, but I'm not holding my breath.

We do not have HDTV "Network Passthrough" ability at this time, though we do have over the air broadcasting in Standard Definition DTV daily from 12 noon - 12 midnight on digital channel 46.
We anticipate begin able to bring HD passthrough on in late 2003 or early 2004. Technical equipment upgrades are necessary first.

Local digital channels are not yet on the cable systems. I understand Time Warner Cable of Maine has plans in the near future to add local DTV signals. I have not heard when or if those will be the HD signals, you may want to double check with Time Warner on that and their time table for offering local channels in DTV.

Sincerely,

Amy Picucci
Program Coordinator
ABC 8 WMTW

I'll keep posting as I get more info from the locals and TWC. I don't want another antenna on the house for OTA. That's antiquated in this day and age of electronics!

I'll pass on some Time Warner Austin experience:

Time Warner rarely says anything publically that can tie them down -- whether it is in regards to adding local -DT channels, national channels, or anything else. Generally there are layers of customer service insulation between you and the actual engineers/programmers at Time Warner. In Austin, I was able to get MUCH better information from the local engineers -- they were able to tell me technical info on what progress was being made. At Time Warner, the left hand never knew what the right hand was doing.

If the local engineers (and you should be talking to the engineers whenever possible, not the station managers) say that they aren't working with Time Warner, then nothing is being done.

The solution is to ask Time Warner employees to fill out a channel request every time you speak to them.

Ask them to put in a channel request for everyone of the following:

WGME-DT (CBS)
WCSH-DT (NBC)
WMEA-DT (PBS)
WMTW-DT (ABC)
WENH-DT (PBS)
WPFO-DT (Fox) (when available)
WPME-DT (UPN) (when available)
WPXT-DT (WB) (when available)
ESPN-HD
HDNet
HDNet Movies
Any other HDNet channels (HDNet Sports, Entertainment) (when available)
Discovery-HD Theater
NBA-HDTV
Bravo-HD (when available)
Cinemax-HD (when available)
Hallmark-HD (when available)

Now, if they say that "ABC is not HD" or "You requested more than one PBS station", say "I don't care. Put in the request for me. I want ABC because the digital feed is of a higher picture quality than the analog feed" and "I want both PBS Maine and PBS New Hampshire -- request them both for me".

Do this every time you talk to them. Request it every day, if possible. The more requests they get the more likely they are to add the channels you want.

I'm under contract on the house in Greene, and just about under contract on my house in Austin. Looks like I'll be moving in late May/early June.


Can some one email me info on local Home Theater/DBS stores? I'm interested on who does quality work, who does cheap work, and who does the best of both. Are there any local stores, or just Best Buy/Circuit City? Both for Portland and for Auburn/Lewiston? I'll need to get DirecTV and an outdoor antenna installed immediately after I close. Email me at DrJoe@austin.rr.com


Thanks,


Joe

For those who really want MNF in HD, you should consider Bell ExpressVu. They offer 11 or so HD channels (all 4 major networks from both coasts). It's not difficult to get. Check the Hardware & Programming forums for more details about Canadian brokers, etc. I've had it for 2 years or so - couldn't wait for the locals to get their act together.

Another HDTV freak here in South Portland. Have Panny L300u FPJ w/Toshiba DST-3000 and DirecTv and outdoor OTA antenna, also Toshiba HD 4:3 42" RPJ. Have intermittent luck getting WGME, and WCSH (use to be much better); get WMTW and WCBB at 100% signal. I have talked in the past with chief engineers at WCSH and WGME via email and I talked on the telephone with programming director at TW. The TW conversation was not encouraging (but based on comments above I am still hoping for local carriage).

PS - Excerpt from email from Amy Picucci at WMTW on Jan. 10.
"Unfortunately, we are not able at this time to provide the "HDTV" version of digital (the 720p). We hope to install the necessary equipment to upgrade to network pass through of 720p HD as soon as possible in 2003, but it is unlikely that will happen before the Superbowl."

Originally posted by DrJoe
The solution is to ask Time Warner employees to fill out a channel request every time you speak to them.


Does anybody know if this works via email? Can we email the customer care address and/or the Laurie Russell address and make this request every day? I know that some DirecTv people do this, but I wasn't sure if it's actually useful.

Also do we have preferred addresses for the ABC folks to make a similar requests to them?

As for the ExpressVu path, I've considered it. Obviously, I'm still hoping for a local solution, and the upfront cost of the dish from ExpressVu is rather staggering for a temporary solution. And, they'll never get ESPN-HD.

I updated the "list" (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=2079146#post2079146) back on page 3; Craig Clark of WGME tells me that 38-2 (the high def feed) is now active from 12:00PM to 12:30 AM -- which means that "The Young and The Restless" is now available in HD (is that a GOOD thing?)


Joe

Joe,

The Young and The Restless in HDTV, that is great news.... what was I ever going to do without it! :)

Now if I could only receive WGME DT signal consistently enough to actually watch it (or more importantly, shows like CSI and King of Queens).

Well, I ended up getting a used STB on Ebay. Samsung SIR-T151. I picked up a Zenith Silver Sensor on the way home, just to get an idea of how my reception is.

My setup is in the basement of a raised ranch, and I must say I'm pleasantly surprised with the results. I get WGME & WCSH with a greater than 50% signal. WMTW is broadcasting a Digital signal (but not HD), and I'm picking that one up fine. WCBB comes in with a very low signal, but enough that I don't get dropouts. No sign of WMEA.

As for programming. I'm watching Frasier, and everything seems fine. 13-2 gets no sound (For either Jag & Guardian), but I do get sound from everything else, so I'm assuming I'm not the only one with this problem? TitanTv says WCBB has Nova in HD right now, but that's clearly not the case.

So, after this experiment, I guess I'll look at picking up an attic antenna and returning the Silver Sensor. I haven't yet decided if I'm going to get a VHF/UHF antenna. According to Antennaweb, WB (whenever goes HD) will be on channel 4 (VHF).

Chris

redinger,

How does your picture look with 50% signal? Mine tends to freeze slightly and become pixeled if I do not have a consistent signal above 60%. Also, is it a consistent signal or lots of fluctuations? How proximal are you to the towers? Thanks for the info, it is so hard to tell if my issues are me, my equipment, my location, or the TV stations!

Originally posted by switherman
How does your picture look with 50% signal?

I've been playing around with CBS and NBC for the past 20 minutes by turning the antenna to get less signal, so this isn't very scientific. I'm in Yarmouth - 17 miles from CBS, 26 miles from NBC. Pretty close. On the SIR-T151, there is a signal bar that goes from 'Weak' to 'Strong' and 24 bars in between. If my signal is between 7-8 bars, I get very occaisional pixelization. Anything less than that I get quite a bit of pixelization and sometimes dropouts. Above that, I don't seem to have any problems (again, I haven't watched a ton of programming yet, so I don't know how effective things would be at 30% signal consistently).

Did you check out CBS at all tonight to see if you had any sound from 13-2?

Thanks,
Chris

On my Toshiba STB it has a signal strength meter from 0 to 100; for WMTW-DT (29 miles) and WCBB-DT (40 miles) I receive a steady 100 signal strength, for WGME-DT (24 miles) and WCSH-DT (27 miles) I receive a variable signal from 0 to 20. I used to receive WCSH-DT at steady 100 but magically it has gone into the toilet (I swear I have not changed anything!). Now that the weather is better, I plan on adjusting the antenna to see if I can improve WGME-DT and WCSH-DT (since they are the only two with any real HD content).

PS - Since I was not able to receive CBS, not sure on the audio, sorry.

In case there's anybody else in Maine that watches CBS-HD, I got a response back this morning from Craig Clark, Chief Engineer for CBS:

I have to apologize for the sound problem. I believe it is on our end. Our next HD program is at 12:30 today. We will take that opportunity to find the problem and have it back before tonight's shows.

So, hopefully we'll have some sound tonight.

switherman, what kind of antenna do you have? That's weird that you're getting the stations you are getting, but having problems with others. WMTW and WCSH are roughly in the same direction for you, but then WGME is in between those and WCBB! I'll be curious how your antenna repointing goes. I take it you don't have a rotator?

I'll let you know what kind of signals I get whenever I get my antenna situation figured out, I'm assuming I should see a pretty good increase in strength when the antenna moves up 20 feet, rather than sitting at ground level.

Hopefully this information will help people in the future, rather than annoy the old timers now. :)

Chris

Although not HD, DirecTV has announced Portland locals via satellite by the end of the year.

Hello all.......had no idea that this forum existed. I'm particularly curious to hear Steve's reception reports from Cape Porpoise...we are also located there summers.
We have not tried OTA yet....just Direct TV.....

Need antenna advice as well!!!

Back in the port mid -May!! Exciting!

Hi there,

Just wanted to introduce myself really quick. I'm just getting started here with a DTV-100 Card, a PC, and a 30-inch Samsung Widescreen Monitor. I'm picking out an antenna when my DTV-100 comes in in a few days.

I've reviewed this entire thread, and I was wondering what you guys think is the best way to spend under $100 (preferrably arround $50) on an antenna at Radioshack - without extensive installation/eyesoredness (I'm a renter).

I used to work for Radioshack and was thinking about grabbing a VU-120 or something, plopping it up in my attic, pointing it towards portland relatively, and hopping for the best. Any reason this is a bad idea? or should I do this in combination with a set-top? or get two VU-120s and point one at portland, and the other south to somewhere.

I know it's a brute force idea - but what do you think? I have an empty attic. :-)

Dan

The one constant I've always seen on this forum is to start cheap and work your way up. I currently reside outside Philly I just got a set top antenna and was pleasantly surprised to find I was recieving 90% of the channels available. Good enough! The rest I couldn't pull in were PBS duplicates from around the area.
When I was back in Falmouth visiting my folks a few weeks back the one thing I had to do was be very particular about the direction of the antenna. I was trying to pull in the Final Four from WGME and I literally had climb up on the roof, call my own house from my cell, and play "Hot and Cold" with turning the antenna until we nailed it. Not very forgiving.
I'll be moving back at the end of June. Not sure where yet, but the wife's got a job in Falmouth so somewhere 'round Portland. Now its up to me. Anyone need an IT Network Admin? :-)

Welcome, Cathy & Dan (edit - and jkur - saw your post after posting mine). Glad to have others join this group. As for reception and antenna choices, here are some thoughts. Firstly, the broadcast towers are not in Portland - they are about 30 miles WNW of the city. If you click on TitanTV (http://www.titantv.com) and input your address, they have an antenna selector. On that page there is a map selection which will show a map to each station from your home and the exact direction to point. Most antennas will have about a 10 degree "sweet spot". As for an antenna choice, you will not get very knowledgeable people locally. You need a UHF only antenna. I chose a 80" Winegard with a Channel Master UHF amp (the amp doesn't increase the signal, just makes sure you don't lose any going from the antenna to the TV). Mine is mounted inside my 3rd floor attic (going through wooden cedar shingles). You may or may not need the amp based on your cable runs. You may not need an antenna that big (I think mine was $80 and the amp $50). I just figured bigger is better. My signal from all 3 networks is strong - better than from my home in VA to the stations there (same setup). I mail ordered my stuff from Stark Electronics (http://www.starkelectronic.com) . Hope this helps.

Thanks for the welcome, Steve......

Can't wait to try the antenna for the OTA reception. We'll probably try the combo that you are using, since the geographic location is about the same as ours......

Thanks for the information....we will certainly give a holler after we are up and running again.......

Another reason for a bigger antenna is that it will pull in stations at wider angles. The 3 stations are not side by side. Actually, being closer may be a problem as the angle to the various towers increases.

Originally posted by sdf777
You need a UHF antenna only antenna.

Certainly today you only need a UHF antenna, but I would advise you consider getting a VHF/UHF combo. When (if?) the WB comes online, that will be broadcast on channel 4 - VHF territory. So, if you purchase a UHF-only today, you could either be upgrading or adding a second antenna in the future. Admittedly, the downside is that UHF-only antennas do so much better with the UHF channels, and today all of our Digital broadcasts are indeed UHF.

I picked up a Radioshack VU-90XR (was on sale for $29.99!) As others on the forum have mentioned, Radioshack has a very liberal return policy. So, if things don't work out, it's a simple drive back to the store. (I returned the Silver Sensor to Best Buy yesterday, for those following my saga. As long as the product is in 'Like New' condition, you can return there for a full refund as well.)

My rotator should arrive today or tomorrow, Channel Master because it's very highly recommended here.

It's mounted in my attic (currently, mounted on a cymbal stand, until the rotator and mast arrive, It's actually a pretty clever solution if I do say so myself), and I'm not sure I would want to go much bigger than this in my attic, when you consider I want to add a rotator. I currently have a 100ft cable run, but will chop off the excess once things are situated, I'm expecting about a 60 feet run when I'm done. Got the cable, connectors and the crimper from Home Depot. I'm more than willing to lend my crimper to anybody that's trying to jump into the HD pool, and wants to get a custom run of cable.

NBC, ABC, and CBS all come in just a little above 50%. This is without any tuning of the antenna, so I'm hoping I can get that number up, once I worry about proper placement. If not, I'll probably have to start looking at the roof.

That's my long winded way of trying to say, pick up a Radio Shack antenna and try it out. Return it if you find it unsatisfactory. :)

Originally posted by redinger
Certainly today you only need a UHF antenna, but I would advise you consider getting a VHF/UHF combo. When (if?) the WB comes online, that will be broadcast on channel 4 - VHF territory.

Actually, this is probably incorrect.

If you take a look at the FCC Filings, WPXT (WB) has requested several changes in the channel assignment -- this is what is holding the construction process up.

THIS LINK (http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=93103) has the reason they were given a construction extension last June and again last November.

Basically, they requested their channel assignment be changed from 4 to 36. FCC approval was given, but the Canadian government shot the new assignment down. WPXT then requested channel 43 be assigned to them. As of November of last year, no action had been taken to confirm this channel, and their CP extension was continued (through 6/5/03).

As of February, they were still in "goverment 'red tape' land " (see the email I posted earlier in this thread from Roy Ouellet at WPXT)

I would expect that a further extension will be granted.

There are several legitimate reasons for requesting a channel change, however, I can't help but wonder if they did so only to put off the date they have to purchase equipment for digital transmission. Unfortunately, broadcast equipment is "tuned" for specific channels, so until a final assignment is made, they can't order the transmitter or antenna, hence the CP Extension.


Anyways, it is not at all clear that WPXT will ever be broadcasting on channel 4.

Later,

Joe

Originally posted by DrJoe
Anyways, it is not at all clear that WPXT will ever be broadcasting on channel 4.


Harumph. I've looked around at some of the filings, and it certainly doesn't look like this will be decided anytime soon.

With this additional information, it does look like a UHF-only is a good solution after all. Perhaps I'll have to make that return trip to Radio Shack I've been talking about...

Chris

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the FCC requiring all of the broadcasters to go digital so that they can kick them off the VHF range? They want to reallocate the VHF range for other uses right?

And good point sdf777 about the angles...I was relatively close to the towers. Probably why I could only snag WGME..that and I was using a 30 yr old salt encrusted VHF/UHF antenna!

Originally posted by jkurlanski
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the FCC requiring all of the broadcasters to go digital so that they can kick them off the VHF range? They want to reallocate the VHF range for other uses right?

OK! I'll correct you! *grin*

As I understand it, when the digital switch is "flipped" and the analog switch is pulled, all channels above 52 will be relocated below 52. The "700 MHz Band", consisting of channels 52-69, will be pulled from service, and auctioned off for cellular phone use.

Go to the FCC website's DTV page (http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/) for FAQ's on the subject.

If you go to the "FAQ's Page" (http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/dtv/) and then the "More FAQ's" (http://www.fcc.gov/oet/faqs/dtvfaqs.html) page, you'll find this Q/A:


Question: What are the channel assignments for digital television?

Answer: Under the FCC spectrum plan, we have provided most existing broadcasters with access to a 6 MHz channel for digital broadcasting within a core digital TV spectrum, i.e., TV channels 2 to 51. Because of the limited availability of spectrum and the need to accommodate all existing facilities with minimal interference among stations, however, during the transition some broadcasters would be provided DTV channels outside of this core spectrum (channels 52 to 69). These broadcasters would have to move their DTV operations to a channel in the core spectrum when one became available. Broadcasters whose existing NTSC channels were in the core spectrum could move their DTV operations to their NTSC channel at some time in the future. Broadcasters whose DTV transition channel and existing NTSC channel were both outside of the core area could obtain a new DTV channel when channels in the core spectrum are recovered.
After the transition period (2006), the VHF channels (2-13) will remain available for DTV and the analog TV service will end on all channels.


So, channels 2-51 wll be available for TV brodcasts.

If you read carefully, you'll notice the goofy thing is that in some cases (like Fox KTBC in Austin) the digital channel assignment is above channel 52. When the analog switch is pulled, KTBC Fox 7 in Austin will lose digital chanel 56 and revert to the analog (now digital) frequency of 7. KTBC is using this as an excuse to run an extremely low power (and hence cheaper hardware) transmitter.



Later,


Joe

I would advise against a VHF/UHF combo antenna. The UHF portion is an "after thought" - marginal at best. An 80" UHF will work far superior to the 10 or 12 inch UHF portion of most combo antennas. You shouldn't need a rotor (unless you're very close to the towers). It's interesting, here we are in a new millenium and we're talking about antennas and rotors - much like our parents dealt with in the 1950's & 60's. :)

Originally posted by sdf777
I would advise against a VHF/UHF combo antenna. The UHF portion is an "after thought" - marginal at best. An 80" UHF will work far superior to the 10 or 12 inch UHF portion of most combo antennas. You shouldn't need a rotor (unless you're very close to the towers). It's interesting, here we are in a new millenium and we're talking about antennas and rotors - much like our parents dealt with in the 1950's & 60's. :)

The Delhi VHF/UHF antennas have a very good UHF section.

Originally posted by DrJoe
OK! I'll correct you! *grin*



Thank you! I knew they were re-allocating to cellular, but I had (wrongly) assumed that since the stations DTV channels were moved into the UHF spectrum, that was where they were going to stay and the VHF was getting sold off.
Time to peruse another FAQ!

Now that I've been back for a few days, does anyone else notice that WGME-HD (13-2) loses video & audio for a second or two, 3 to 4 times per hour? It is very irritating.

Drop Craig Clark, the Chief Engineer at WGME, an email describing the problem, and asking if he is aware of it and or can fix it.

As always (and as probably needs not to be said) when emailing engineering staff, try to be respectful, positive, and friendly in the approach you take to describing problems -- we want them to work with us not against us.

Email him at crclark@wgme.sbgnet.com



Joe

I have Craig's phone number and we have talked many times last summer and fall. I was looking for some confirmation from other viewers before I contacted him.

sdf glad you mentioned that i had been thinking perhaps it was something to do with my antenna or tuner, but your right don't notice it on any other stations. Better that than no sound. Just found this forum, this is great

alann,
Always great to have new members - welcome!

Anyone else notice big problems with WGME last night? Signal would cut out every few seconds. Time to email Craig.

Craig confirmed his HD encoder is messed up - expects a new one any day.

many thanks steve for clearing that up. Didn't watch last night but tonight everything seems ok. a question for you steve. Last summer when i droped my local cable co. and went ota i also subscribed to expressvu. Untill i found this forum i thought i was about the only one. Got two 3100 receivers, tmn, but not the networks, since i could get them ota. what i want to know is the picture as good on the 6000 as ota? Seems like a lot of money, and i originaly did it because i was being price conscious. Have you had any trouble with the receiver? sending it back would be a pain. This hd thing could get out of hand, i think i need a wife.

Craig Clark called me today and said he was loading new software for his encoder. Didn't watch any CBS tonight (no HD). Thurs is CSI & Without a Trace - good test.

Alann,

The 6000 gives you the major networks in HD from east & west coasts. As Portland has no Fox affiliate and the ABC affiliate is saying 2004 for HD, it's a must up here. Having said that, I hardly used it in VA - have all those networks ota there. The HD picture on the 6000 is not quite as good as ota - colors just not as bright - has a hint of being washed out. This is barely noticeable and can only been seen by switching between the same HD broadcast both ota & on expressvu. Hope this helps.

We finally just got a new FOX affiliate, Channel 23 (SD). They started broadcasting within the last few weeks. However, I have heard no news around DTV broadcasting. Their tower is in the same location as the WCBB-DT (17) tower in Sabattus.

I have been trying to glean info on WPFO for the past month.

TitanTV and has added listings for WPFO as of this morning (they were still listing as 23 as WMPX); Zap2It.com has not yet added them.

The FCC has no digital filings for WPFO.

Go to the FCC query site (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html), input WPFO in the call sign window, choose "TV Query (detailed output)", and click on "submit data" to see their filings (you can do the same for the other area stations if you are interested).

My understanding is that because WPFO was not in existence when the FCC was originally giving out digital assignments, it doesn't have to go digital until the analog switch is pulled. At that time the analog transmission will stop and the digital transmission will begin on the same frequency the analog one had been on. We have one station in the Austin area that is in this boat (the UPN affiliate here). It is not clear to me that they could get a digital assignment even if they wanted one.

As of yesterday, I was still not able to find contact info or a website to confirm my understanding. About a month ago, I sent an email to Ray Routhier of the Press Herald asking for contact info for the station/manager -- Ray had done an "intro" article to the station last month, and mentioned the manager is Mitch Lambert. He never returned my email. Yesterday I emailed "askfox" on the Fox website asking for the same information.

It is nice to see they are up, but disappointing we probably won't be seeing Fox Widescreen Football any time soon.


Joe Shovlin

Originally posted by DrJoe
As of yesterday, I was still not able to find contact info or a website to confirm my understanding

I haven't been able to find a website either. But you can always call or fax them:
WPFO-TV Channel 23 Portland, ME
233 Oxford Street
Portland, ME 04101
(V)207-828-0023
(F)207-347-7323

Thanks for the info about the Fox affiliate. With no DT soon, I'll be sticking with the ExpressVu for awhile.

New encoder software for WGME did the trick - no dropouts last night (other than an unrelated audio loss during Survicor).

Can't wait till tonight.........we just set up an OTA in our attic...wood shingle roof...

Got 100% signals from WCSH and WGME..

Using a 21 dollar Radio Shack U75-R UHF antenna with a signal booster.

Now if there was just some programming in HDTV.........guess we wait till 8 PM!

:confused:

Where did everyone go?? I guess all are happy with the current HD offerings.....
I just wish the ABC affiliate would accelerate their target date.
The programming available now is OK, but more will be nice!

I'm still here. Didn't seem like much interest in the thread, lately. WGME seems to have resolved their audio problems. With the HD shows in reruns, not much to notice.

Originally posted by switherman
Joe,

The Young and The Restless in HDTV, that is great news.... what was I ever going to do without it! :)

Now if I could only receive WGME DT signal consistently enough to actually watch it (or more importantly, shows like CSI and King of Queens).

Don't forget DISH carries CBS-HD NY or LA, yor choice. The local CBS affiliate won't allow you to subscribe to it, but you can get a waiver if you have another qualifing address or an RV. Be creative.

Originally posted by Jay Ireland
Don't forget DISH carries CBS-HD NY or LA, yor choice. The local CBS affiliate won't allow you to subscribe to it, but you can get a waiver if you have another qualifing address or an RV. Be creative.

If your going to use a "creative" address for a Dish 6000 just to get CBS-HD, why not use a Bev 6000 (same receiver, different sat company) to get CBS, ABC & NBC in HD from both coasts?

Originally posted by sdf777
WGME seems to have resolved their audio problems. With the HD shows in reruns, not much to notice.

Did you check out A Time To Kill last night? I had no idea it was going to be in HD, but I turned on my HD box and got a nice surprise.

The PQ was absolutely stunning. And of course the audio was fixed as you mentioned.

Anyone ever have any luck contacting Time Warner Cable of Maine with regards to HD programming? I saw DrJoe's post about his experience with them in TX, and I recently sent an email to them to find out if they intended to add to their HD Lineup (no response). Figured with the recent annoucements about DirectTV, the heat might be on...then again, maybe not...
Going to be "home" at the end of the month and under contract for a house in Cumberland. So far so good! Now I want my HDTV! I guess I'm going to have to go DirecTV. Just a bummer because I'll need high speed internet too. Hate to have to have TWC for that and Sat for HD.

Hello all, longtime lurker, new poster.....I also emailed TWC here in Maine recently regarding HDTV offerings in the near future. Here is the response I received:

Hi Mike,
I spoke with our engineering department and this is the information they forwarded to me:
Technically we have everything in place and are ready to air additional HDTV programming, other than the HBO and Showtime channels we currently offer. In regard to our local broadcast stations (ABC, NBC, CBS), they are only airing approximately 4 hours a day of HD programming. We are waiting for them to increase the amount of this programming before they have one channel designated for HD programming. As far as ESPN and other cable networks' HD programming, our corporate offices are working on those agreements.

Sincerely,
Laurie Russell
Customer Care


Also, I'm sure that many of you have noticed from the HDTV Programming forum that TWC just announced the addition of Discovery HD and InDemand, although it is not clear whether that will be nationwide.

My nose was itching....

Well, I'm a Mainer now.... Have moved in to the house in Greene on Sabattus Pond.

DirecTV is a much more attractive programming source now that they have announced creation of the HDTV Package (HDTV Package (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/aboutus/headline.jsp?id=06_03_2003A). ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet and HDNet Movies for $10.99/month. Starts July 1. Add to this PPV and NFL Sunday Ticket HD games. Not so shabby (although I probably won't be able to afford/justify a Sunday Ticket subscription). Too bad they aren't adding any HD OTA network programming yet.

I haven't got an antenna up yet, and my TV is in the basement, so reception right now is poor. With my indoor set top antenna, I am only able to pick up strong broadcasts from analog Fox 23 and digital PBS 17-1,2,3,4. I'm going to talk to the DirecTV installers (from Austin Electronics in Buckfield) about the cost of installing an antenna. I'm waffeling between a Winegard 88" 7015A UHF/VHF/FM antenna and a 78" PR-9022 UHF only antenna --

The 9022 is significantly better for UHF, but for now I also need the VHF analog channels, PLUS there is always the chance that when the analog switch is turned off that NBC, ABC, CBS and PBS will relocate their DTV signals to the then opened VHF channels (I understand from a discussion with a station engineer that VHF operating costs are considerably lower than UHF costs).

I should say that this is a turnaround from my comments a few posts up this thread. While DTV broadcasts in Maine are presently UHF-only, I had forgotten that this will probably change after analog goes away. While in the short run all one needs for DTV is a good UHF antenna, I think Redinger's point about UHF/VHF was probably right.


I'll get a rotator and signal amplifier. I'll see what the cost is like before I think about going to a larger antenna.


Ciao,



Joe

Yep..looks like DirectTV for me too and an antenna for OTA. I knew I shouldn't have just gotten the OTA only STB! Alas....too bad TWC can't even blow a little sunshine at us!

I think we need to put more pressure on TW Maine. Many of the other TW cable cos. around the US are carring the local DT channels with the same national HD content along with many other cable companies (Comcast down in Boston and Manchester, NH are carrying most of the local DT channels, NBC, ABC, PBS). So this '4 hours of content' excuse does not cut the mustard, ie others are doing it, plus the stations in ME are now broadcasting for 12 hours per day (alot of non HD stuff is upconverted). Another point is that most all TV viewing is done during the 4 hour prime time window at night. The cable head end in TW Maine is sufficient to support the bandwidth (I think it is 750 Mhz 256QAM) which many other TW and other cable cos. are using with good success carrying the local DT channels. TW Maine has been progressive in many ways (Road Runner was introduced back in early 1996, far ahead of the national curve) but they are just dragging their feet on this one.....

It's going to be a long battle. Once a corporate decision is made, it takes more time and money to establish an HD feed from the stations. Cox where live in VA has been working on this for 9 months since their announcement and still no HD.

Perhaps with the latest flurry of annoucements it will take little more time before TW Maine will officially add the new channels. From the HD Programming threads, Discovery will start in July, and INDemand in the Fall. I even saw a passing ESPN-HD rumour in there. As for the locals, I guess we stick to OTA.
Doesn't look like I'm moving into new digs until August so hopefully the picture will be clearer then (pun intended).

Consider me ready for the call of duty in putting more pressure on TWC. I really don't want to make the switch to D* (although Sunday Ticket is awful inviting). switherman or anyone else, do you have a contact at TWC that is more direct than the general help email? A manager or PR type perhaps?

Also, jkurlanski, as I stated a few posts up, I don't think that there has been any indication that the Discovery and InDemand deals recently announced by TWC are nationwide. I would like to think that they were, but the Fox Sports announcements that were market specific (and not inclusive of Southern Maine - no Sox in HD!) make me nervous.

Good point meander. I'd like to hope that if Discovery-HD is being added at no charge (or so the annoucement went) they would atleast pass that on. All speculation for now! But count me in on the call ups too. I'd like to pretend I'd have some influence since I'm going to be picking a new provider. :)
And as for the Sox, I'll have a last hurrah down here in Philly when Boston is in town. The game Friday night the 20th here will be in HD on Comcast Sportsnet-HD. Going to be missing that. Not to make anyone laugh, but any word on NESN?

I see that Channel 13 DT is off the air again tonight. Back to old problems I guess.

Rechecked at 9pm and signal was very weak on DT13. Just barely popping up a picture every now and then.

I took a shot and emailed sports@nesn.com. The good news is I received a reply! (something Time Warner Cable hasn't done yet) The bad news is I got a reply:

Dear Mr. Kurlanski:

Thank you for your email letter.

Currently, NESN does not have any plans to broadcast in HDTV. However,
NESN is always looking to improve. NESN may broadcast in HDTV in the
future.

Sincerely,
Customer Relations

Well, I emailed TWC again, this time specifically regarding the recent Discovery announcement and whether Portland would be adding that, and here is the reponse I recieved:

Yes we will be launching it in the fall! Corporate is also negotiating with espn high definition but no dates have been issued. We are also waiting for the local channels to have more programming. We are looking for 20 hours of programming per channel because we will dedicate one channel to the high definition programming. Thanks for asking!
Sincerely,
Laurie Russell


Good news, at least on the Discovery front. Not so much on the local channel front though. Baby steps.....

20 hours of DT programming for locals is a long way off if ever.

enlighten me...do they mean 20 hours per week or per day? I would think, with most of CBS primetime in HD, they would surpass that...

Received this e-mail from Laurie at TW of Maine. It appears are e-mails are working. Not a lot of details, but it appears that the locals in HD are coming!

Hi Dave,
Recieved great news last night. We will be going ahead and adding the local channels that are broadcasting in HDTV to our digital tier line up very soon! The requests have been coming in, and they took notice! Look for an email in the next couple of weeks announcing the details.

Sincerely,
Laurie Russell
Customer Care

SWEET! Thats great news.
Darey1: what email address are you using for TWC? I was about to just try the info@twmaine.com again since I didn't get a response to my first message. Some sort of "Second attempt - please reply" message. I was going to be specific about Discovery, the locals, and HDNet. Also, their web site HD FAQ specifically says they would be adding Maine PBS when they went digital, which I believe it now has.

jkurlanski, I have been using this email to get info from Laurie. I'm surprised they answer me back, I have written so many time since February, when I purchase my HDTV. In fact, last night when I wrote, I mentioned what a popular subject TWC on this forum. Address: laurie.russell@twcmaine.com

Maine PBS is infact Digital and all 4 channels are on the digital tier, so they haven't lied yet. What isn't there is the HD feed of their programming and I don't know if it available. Can someone out there fill us in on the Maine PBS HD Feed?

jkurlanski, here is the address I have been using for laurie:

laurie.russell@twcmaine.com

that's great news, darey, let's keep the pressure on!

oops, you beat me to it darey!

Figures - just last month I cancelled my TW subscription, and told them my reason was because I wanted HD programming and they only offered HBO & Showtime. If only they had told me to wait a month.

redinger, I know your frustration, but unless you have DBS to fall back on, I wouldn't consider dumping TW. Although, I have debated with myself for a long time of getting an OTA STB, I just could not justify the cost knowing that someday, TW would be carrying the locals in HD. I have written several times to TW telling them that other divisions of TW were carrying the locals, so why can't we. I visit the other TW sites looking for justification to entice our TW folks to add channels. It finally, with everyone elses help, seems to be paying off. Of course, all the announcements out of the National Cable Trade Show in Chicago about HD, probably didn't hurt our pleas. I'll be anxiously waiting for that e-mail Laurie is talking about for the locals. Now, if only corporate will come to some sort of arrangement with ESPN HD - I think many of us would be in heaven.

Here in Philly I had to finally bite the bullet and get an OTA STB because Comcast and CBS couldn't (and still can't) come to an agreement. I finally got pushed over the line when the AFC championships were on CBS. I hope very much to be putting it up on EBay when I move into new digs in Cumberland in August.
And thanks all for the address. I sent Laurie an email requesting info about the status of HD with TW of Maine. Dropped the "I just can't justify going with TW with their limited HD offerings." I sincerely hope they are beginning to realize that their big ticket consumers (I've got a $100+ cable bill now) will be fleeing in droves if they don't keep up the pace with the satellite companies regarding HD. Of course, I'll let you know what I hear. Lets hope its all good!

Poor Laurie is probably going to get quit a few emails today :)

Hi Chris,
Wow! Word travels fast! We just got word last night that we will be adding
the local channels that are broadcasting in high definition to our digital tier.

Thanks for the info darey. (By the way - you have a private message)

Originally posted by darey1
redinger, I know your frustration, but unless you have DBS to fall back on, I wouldn't consider dumping TW. Although, I have debated with myself for a long time of getting an OTA STB, I just could not justify the cost knowing that someday, TW would be carrying the locals in HD.

I honestly thought that 'someday' would be at least a year away. We kept hearing the same thing, that they wanted a certain threshold of programming that seemed unreasonable. So, I picked up an OTA tuner to get my locals in HD and figured I'd be cable-free for a year or so. I figured that $200 for a used Samsung was worth it for a year. Worst case, I figure I can still recover some money from Ebay. At least now I'll be able to compare the TW feed with the OTA feed and see if the compression is noticeable.

In regards to ESPN-HD, originally I was worried that even if/when corporate TW hammered out a deal, we still wouldn't get it for a while. I'm feeling a little more positive now that they are taking this step.

So now we can start pestering for more programming: ESPN-HD on TWC, ABC and WB to get their HD feeds, Fox to get it's "Faux HD", CBS to get 5.1. Anything else?

I just got a reply from Laurie too. Same "Word travels fast!" :) She confirmed the locals announcment and Discovery-HD. No word on InDemand. I asked her for some clarification on "adding the locals to the digital tier" I wanted to make sure they would be passing the HD along, and not just rebroadcasting the Digital signal. It would be strange to do that (could they even?), and certainly a step above the analog, but it would still be just SD. But we're looking good!

Wow! What a few weeks of great news for HD fans! ESPN-HD by football season is next on my wishlist....imagine Thurdsay and Saturday night college football, NFL Game of the Week on CBS on Sunday (certainly with a few Pats games chosen) finishing with Sunday night football - all in HD! Now if we can only get WMTW (ABC) on the ball. On that note, does anyone have an email contact at WMTW that we can bug? At least to take the heat off of Laurie a bit!

Laurie has been very helpful and confirmed that the local stations will be HD when the programming is available in HD (which we all know isn't all the time). I again extended an invitation to the forum and to post info as it becomes official, and, from a customer service perspective, to find out about any issues we may run into in the future in advance of our tirades. I hope she accepts. At the least, it should save her some emails!
Great stuff today! :) :)

This is very good news indeed! The local HD channels and Discovery HD (and a maybe on ESPN-HD) on TWC. I may also have an extra HD STB but I am not ready to let D* go yet. The HD package just announced on D* probably can hold me over until TWC gets ESPN HD.

I will send an email to Laurie at TWC with congrats and request for even more channels!

I have emailed Amy Picucci at WMTW regarding HDTV, her email address is below.

wmtwviewerlink@wmtw.com

Hey Folks, It's been a great day for HDTV in Southern Maine. Let's just hope that TWC doesn't drag their feet getting these channels on the system. It was fun being able to break the news. I just wrote to them last night after reading the thread about 20 hours of HD before they would put the locals on. I sent a nice long e-mail and low and behold I got that news back this morning. I have to admit, that I sometimes get frustrated walking into the office to pay the bill and don't get very good answers from their CSR, but Laurie has been a "God Send" and I sure hope she takes jkurlanski's invitation and joins our forum. She has been a big help. Well, off to watch some HDTV. If anyone hears anything, run it up here ASAP for all of us to enjoy. This is a great forum and I read it several times a day.

Good Afternoon,

Received an email from Laurie @ TWC. It follows:

Update.. The Discovery channel in high definition will be on very soon channel 550! Keep an eye on it. Anyday now!
Laurie

Also, asked on the status of the locals. Will post after an answer.

keep us updated darey! we've also got to keep the pressure on for ESPN-HD (the Pats-Giants pre-season game on 8/7 will be in HD!) and to upgrade from the SAHD3100 box!

Got an answer on the locals. Laurie is Quoted - "Not yet... I'll let you know. We are hoping next week the Discovery will be added. (don't hold me to it!)."

Laurie

I would love to keep the pressure on for ESPN HD for the Pats - Giants, but I know it is out of the local companies hands. Pressure has to go to Corporate. I'm very anxious for ESPN HD, especially now that D* has it available next week for their folks. I keep asking about upgrades to the SA3100HD Box each time I go and pay my bill, but no good answers yet.

Question - what is the importance of the SA3100HD upgrade? What features/functions are missing or needed? Thanks.

I think she mis-spoke... I think she meant the replacement for the 3100HD, not the "upgrade".

The 3100HD is a second generation set top HD receiver (it replaced the 2100HD).

Scientific Atlanta has produced (and Time Warner is testing them in limited markets) the 3250HD PDF SPECS (http://www.scientificatlanta.com/customers/subscriber%5Fpdfs/4003138.pdf) as a "second and a half" generation. The 4200HD PDF SPECS (http://www.scientificatlanta.com/customers/subscriber_pdfs/4002571.pdf) is their "third generation" box.


The big feature of the 3250HD/4200HD is that it has a user selectable scan rate output -- you can choose to watch 1080i broadcasts in 1080i, 720p in 720p, 480p in 480p, 480i in 480i.


Later

Joe

Thanks for the info! DrJoe, just noticed that your location changed. Hope your move went well and welcome to Maine. Today must feel alot like being back in Texas (hope I remembered this correctly!).

Welcome to DrJoe. Great to have you up here in the Grand State of Maine.

Well, TWC has turned on channel 550 and labeled it HDISC. Even though it is still dark, it's a ray of hope for something new for us TWC customers. Hopefully there will be programming in a couple of days. I also notice on another TW site, in Kansas City (I think) that they are providing a free preview of IN Demand HD from 1 July thru 15 July. I wonder if something like that will be coming our way soon. Bring on the HD!!!

Thanks for the "welcomes", folks. Maine is a very pretty state, if only it will warm up! Started to feel like home last week (had been hitting the hundreds regularly for about a month when we left!), but it seems to have cooled off a bit.

I've updated my Maine DTV Summary; haven't found a place to post it on the web yet. It isn't FULLY updated, but I thought I would post it now. One of the additions was to ask the stations with analog VHF what their intentions are for post-analog service -- if they were going to relocate their DTV broadcast down the the opened VHF channel. Both WCBB PBS out of Augusta and WGME CBS are planning to do so. I haven't gotten responses from NBC or ABC yet, but Craig Clark of WGME CBS tells me that they are. When I get notice from the respective stations, I'll update them.

I don't have any info on the New Hampshire stations outside of FCC listings and TitanTV -- folks in southern Cumberland County and York County may be able to pull them in.

Here is the list:

The Central and Southern Maine DTV Summary

Abbreviations:

ERP = effective radiated power
STA = special temporary authority

Where I give two numbers for ERP, the first is the special temporary authority (usually a lower power than); the second in parentheses is the full rating

Where I have two channel assignments, the assignment in parenthesis is either a requested change in DTV assignment or the channel the station will revert to when analog goes away. I have not bothered to check the future status of stations with both analog and digital channel assignments in the UHF. I don't (can't) gauarantee that noted channel assignment changes will be made, however, this is what station employees have told me.

Comments by the listed contacts are in quotes plus italics; my comments are in regular text.

I'm adding to the list the stations in Bangor (I'm told they may be receivable in Lewiston, where I am moving to) from Jay Ireland's Bangor Post:

Portland Area Stations:

WPME-DT UPN 28 ERP 215 kW NOT YET LIVE
WPXT-DT WB 4 (43) ERP 10 kW NOT YET LIVE
Roy Oulette roy.ouellet@pgtv.com
unknown position

”Our frequencies and power levels did not pass Canadian Coordination so we do not have construction permits for either station. I'm not sure when we will be able to put a digital carrier on the air. We have now entered goverment "red tape" land with the proviso of cross-border relations.”(2/03)

WPXT-DT has requested their channel allocation be changed from 4 to 43. Because the request has not been granted or denied (it has to work through both Canadian and US red tape) they were granted a construction permit extension. The hardware required to transmit a signal is channel-dependent, so until they are assigned a channel, they cannot purchase the hardware to transmit.

WPME-DT has apparently requested that their ERP be increased from 215 kW to 1000 kW. As far as I know, the request has not yet been acted on. I’m not sure why this would hold them up, the delay in operation may be due to something else.

WGME-DT CBS 38 (13) 500 kW ERP STA (1000 kW ERP) LIVE
Craig Clark crclark@wgme.sbgnet.com
Chief Engineer

WGME-DT is broadcasting on two subchannels.
38-1 is CBS Simulcast Analog, live 24/7
38-2 is the CBS Network High Definition Channel, live from 12:00PM to 12:30AM

When the analog switch is turned off by the FCC, WGME-DT will be relocated from UHF 38 to VHF 13.

WMTW-DT ABC 46 (8) 501 kW ERP STA (1000 kW ERP) LIVE
Amy Picucci wmtwviewerlink@wmtw.com
Program Coordinator
Jack Conner jconner@wmtm.com
Director of Engineering

”Regarding the date WMTW will be able to pass network HD through to
our viewers, it is not set in stone at this time. Most likely, it will be later
this year or early next year." (Jack Conner, 7/03)

When the analog switch is turned off by the FCC, WMTW-DT will be relocated from UHF 46 to VHF 8.

WCSH-DT NBC 44 500 kW ERP STA (1000 kW ERP) LIVE
Mike Marshall mike.marshall@wcsh6.com
Programming and Promotion Manager
Dave Mundee dave.mundee@wcsh6.com
Chief Engineer

On-air 12:00 PM to 12:35 AM, passing high definition feed when available
Still need confirmation of DTV relocation to channel 6.

WCBB-DT PBS (Augusta) 17 (10) 27.9 kW ERP LIVE
WMEA-DT PBS (Biddeford) 45 50 kW ERP LIVE
Dave Roy droy@mpbc.org
Director of Telecommunications, Maine Public Broadcasting

The content of all Maine DTV PBS stations is identical.

Maine PBS broadcasts on 4 subchannels.
Subchannel 1 is Maine PBS, a simulcast of analog Maine PBS. It is off-air between 1:00AM and 6:00AM.
Subchannel 2 is Maine PBS You, an educational channel.
Subchannel 3 is Maine PBS Kids, childrens’ programming.
Subchannel 4 is Maine PBS Plus, national PBS programs.

Currently Maine PBS does not have any HD programming on as “next to nothing is available”. Next fall there will be more and it will air in the regular Maine PBS schedule on subchannel 1. PBS plans to have HD programming every night during prime time starting fall of 2005.

When the analog switch is turned off by the FCC, WCBB-DT will be relocated from UHF 17 to VHF 10.

WPFO-TV FOX 23 No digital assignment

WPFO-TV went live after DTV assignments were made. When analog broadcasting goes away, WPFO will begin broadcasting in DTV on its formerly analog station.

WENH-DT PBS (Durham, NH) 57 589kW ERP Live

WENH-DT apparently carries the PBS demo signal (TitanTV.com)

WPXG-DT PAX (Concord, NH) 33 100kW ERP Not Yet Live

WPXG is a satellite of WBPX in Boston. They have filed a number of extension requests because WBPX is trying to move its analog broadcast from 68 to its digital assignment of 32. Apparently they are worried about the 700 MHz band being cleared for auction prior to the analog switch off. It isn’t clear what stage WPXG is in, however, the unreliable TitanTV says they are scheduled for August 5. This may simply be when the latest CP Extension runs out.

Cable Television:

Adelphia Cable (Androscoggin County, Parts of York County) does not carry High Definition at this time.

Time Warner Digital Cable (Most of Cumberland County, Parts of York County) carries HD Showtime and HBO (East and West), and DiscoveryHD. They have all four of Maine PBS’ subchannels, but it isn’t clear to me whether they are from an analog or digital source (they are not labled as “HDTV” in the channel lineup, and do not seem to require an HD STB). iN DEMAND HD PPV is expected to soon follow.

Bangor Area Stations:

WVII-DT (ABC) 4 0.84kW ERP STA (532kW ERP) LIVE
Simulcast Analog
Contact: engrabc6@wvii.com

WABI-DT (CBS) 19 34kW ERP STA (363kW ERP) LIVE
Simulcast Analog
Contact: shilz@wabi.com

WLBZ-DT (NBC) 25 500kW ERP STA (1000kW ERP) LIVE
HDTV
Contact: lgilbert@wlbz.com

WMEB-DT (PBS) 9 15kW ERP LIVE
HD/SDTV Multicast Analog
Contact: droy@mpbc.org

Jay's comments:
"It is important to note that ABC and CBS are not currently capable of passing their respective networks HDTV programming to the local market due to the economics of acquiring the necessary hardware.

I have emailed all the local stations and have not found much enthusiasm with HDTV technical correspondence, replies are more of a customer service response not a genuine interest in HDTV."



Additions, subtractions, corrections and updates to DrJoe on the AVS Forum or dr_joe_@hotmail.com

Updated 7/7/03

Good Evening - Just a note to let the TWC Customers that Discovery HD is now being broadcast on Channel 550. It is an outstanding picture and I know I will enjoy watching it. Also, after e-mailing Laurie, I found out that TWC is presently testing the SA3250HD Cable boxes and as soon as the testing is over, they will be available to customers. Enjoying HD!!

I noticed, based on the pdf specs that Dr. Joe posted above, that some versions of the SA3250HD have a DVI port and others do not. Any indications on which version we will see here in Maine?

meander - No indication at this time which one will be available, but if I find out, I will post for sure.

Update - I have Adelphia here in Kennebunkport (serves Kennebunk, too).

Thanks; I hadn't realized TW's coverage of Southern Maine was so spotty. I noted the coverage was not complete in the cable TV section.

I also added contacts for WCSH and WMTW, and updated the "schedule" WMTW is working on to provide HD (as before, late 2003, or early 2004). I actually traded emails with the station engineer this time (apparently Amy couldn't answer my question regarding post-analog channel assignents -- sometimes it pays to ask tough questions).

I traded emails for the first time with someone at WCSH, the programming director. He wasn't able to answer my question regarding post-analog channel assignments, and the Chief Engineer was on vacation -- so hopefully he will get back to me. I expect that WCSH will be reverting their DTV transmission to channel 6 -- as I understand it there are significant operational savings by broadcasting in the VHF over the UHF.

As far as the New Hampshire stations I have listed, can anyone in Southern Maine (Portland, York County) pull in WENH-DT? At what signal strength? Has anyone corresponded with station personell at WPXG? Does anyone know if TitanTV's Aug 8th date is more than smoke?

Later

Joe

Before WMTW came on the air, I tried to get the ABC affiliate in Manchester, NH (about 60 miles) and was unsuccessful. Before all the Portland affiliates came on the air, I pointed my antenna to Boston (90 miles) and could get them on some nights (when atmospheric conditions right).

This is my take on the situation:


TitanTV, although generally unreliable, lists only channels it thinks you should be able to pick up. It says that Portland residents should be able to pick up WNEH out of Durham, NH, which is broadcasting at 589kW. Durham is just over the Maine border, about 5 miles from Kittery. This channel proabably is receivable in Southern Maine, although you might have to look for it.

I'm not sure anyone will be able to pull in WPXG out of Concord, which will be rated for 100 kW when/if it goes live in early August. It is a bit further away than Durham.

The other DT stations in the Manchester area include WNEU-DT (Tel) at 80kW from Merrimack, WNDS-DT (Ind) at 96kW from Derry, and WMUR-DT at 537kW from Manchester. Of these, I would expect Mainers to have a long shot to receive WMUR and not see a peep out of the others.

Boston stations may be the right distance for atmospheric bounce -- basically, you can pull in distant stations if the atmospheric conditions cause the signal to bounce off the atmosphere. I used to be able to pull in very nice reception of Houston stations in Austin when the weather was just right. This could be what you are seeing when you pull in Boston stations.

Later


Joe

I don't have a rotor, so WNEH is not practical. What network affiliate is it?

I found this on the Portland Press Herald website today:


Does TV confuse you? Are you unable to find what's on? Do you wonder what the differnet between HDTV and Digital TV is? Do you feel there are two many channels? For a story he's doing on the ever-changing technology of television, Reporter Ray Routhier would like to hear people's biggest TV-related questions and concerns. Please contact Ray at rrouthier@pressherald.com and include your phone number.


Maybe some of us should reply to him.


Joe

Thanks for the heads up. I just did. On another note, has anyone else been have a weak or fluctuating signal on 6-1 or 13-2? They have been a problem for me of late.

Both signals were good last night for me. Actually 13-2 was better than usual!

Any new news on TW carrying local DTV? (I know that if there was news it would be posted here, but inquiring minds what to know...)

switherman - I talked to Laurie a day or so ago about an e-mail I received from INHD. There seems to be a free preview from the 15th til the 20th, but not here in Maine. At the same time I asked about the locals. Her answer was that she would have to e-mail her source and get back to me. I haven't heard from her. I told her, football season wasn't far away and that CBS was going to being doing more and more in HD this year. Wish I had more news.

Hey gang. Officially in state now and working my way towards closing this Friday. I'm at my decision point about DirectTV vs. TWC so I sent Laurie an email to see if there were any updates regarding the locals or ESPN. She said they were in active negotiations with CBS (WGME) and NBC (WCSH), but not abc since they aren't HD capable yet. No timeline, but they are talking. Negotiations were on going regarding ESPN-HD.
One last thing she wrote that I found interesting was "I can say that we are committed to get the HD on much sooner than we had original intended." I think the surprise addition of Discovery somewhat speaks to that.
Satellite or TWC? Satellite or TWC? Bah.

Hi all,

I just discovered this forum the other day in my efforts to find out about HD offerings in Maine. I live in Yarmouth and currently have TW cable, but with the DVR, so I don't have any HD through them. However, I was interested in trying to pick up CBS and NBC in HD OTA (the DVR cable box can't decode the HD signal), so I'm trying to decide whether to switch to digital cable without the DVR. In any case, I just wanted to introduce myself to all the other southern maine members.

It doesn't matter if you switch to digital cable without the DVR -- digital cable boxes, even high definition digital cable boxes, don't tune OTA signals -- only signals from the cable company.

1) You need two things: a high definition television, which I assume you have, with at least a component input;

2) An HD source -- which may or may not include an ATSC (OTA digital TV) tuner. Some HDTV's have them internal -- most "HDTV Ready" sets do not. Those that do not require a "set top box" or STB to tune OTA digital.

There are basically three STB's available --

1) An HD DBS tuner -- this will tune Dishnetwork or DirecTV + OTA ATSC
2) A stand-alone ATSC tuner
3) An HD capable digital cable box -- this does NOT include an OTA ATSC tuner.

Time Warner is not transmitting the ATSC locals over their cable system at this time, so you will not be able to obtain them with a digital box. In the near future they probably will.



Joe

I realize that the TW boxes do not include an OTA tuner; what I was hoping to do though was buy an RCA antenna from Best Buy that can daisy-chain itself between the wall outlet and the cable box and get the signals for the networks from that. I believe this is what you were saying as option 3. In any case, I discovered on Scientific Atlanta's website last night that a HD DVR box is supposed to come out this fall; hopefully TW Maine will be offering it soon after that.

Originally posted by zkolkin
I realize that the TW boxes do not include an OTA tuner; what I was hoping to do though was buy an RCA antenna from Best Buy that can daisy-chain itself between the wall outlet and the cable box and get the signals for the networks from that. I believe this is what you were saying as option 3. In any case, I discovered on Scientific Atlanta's website last night that a HD DVR box is supposed to come out this fall; hopefully TW Maine will be offering it soon after that.

Unless your HDTV has an internal ATSC tuner, you can't receive digital locals OTA.

You shouldn't get anything by daisy chaining an antenna with the cable box -- the cable box does not have an OTA tuner. If you hooked the antenna up in parallel (rather than series), i.e. the antenna to the RF input on your TV, and the cable box to one of the video inputs on it, then you would be able to tune OTA analog signals.

By option three, I meant that you request an HD digital cable box from Time Warner, and then wait until they decide to provide digital locals. Until they do, the only HD you can get with it includes HBO-HD and Showtime-HD (if you subscribe to HBO and/or Showtime), and Discovery-HD.

In some markets, Time Warner is already providing digital locals, and if you read previous entries in this thread, in this market they say they hope to add some soon. Until they do you are SOL as far as digital locals go.

To get OTA digitals, you need an antenna plus an ATSC tuner -- which if it isn't included in your HDTV, you can only get with a stand-alone STB or a HD DBS receiver. Neither the Sci. At. nor the Motorola HD digital cable boxes have ATSC tuners -- so you only get digital locals if the cable system provides them over cable.

Do you have a link to a schedule/specifications for the Scientific Atlanta HD PVR? In correspondence with a Scientific Atlanta vice president this spring, I was told that there was no time frame for deploying an HD PVR, and that in any case the first Sci. At. HD PVR would only record in standard definition (i.e. would downconvert HD to SD to record it). In the specifications you might be able to find out if it (unlike any Sci. At. HD cable box so far) has an OTA ATSC tuner -- I expect it doesn't.

Later,

Joe

I understand the problem now- thanks for such a detailed reply. As for the HD DVR, this is the first entry on the FAQ for the Explorer 8000 box on SA's site:

Q: When will the Explorer 8000 for HDTV be available?
A: The ExplorerHD High Definition Home Entertainment Server will be available to cable operators in October-November timeframe this year (2003). To find out when the Explorer 8000HD will be available in your area, please contact your cable company.

I emailed Laurie Russell and asked her if she knew anything about when this box would be coming to TW Maine specifically and she replied today saying she was expecting it in the 4th quarter of the year.

Not much of an update, but I just recieved this response from Laurie:

Hi Mike,
We are still in negotiations for the local and Espn HD, no date has been issued. The new boxes are in testing, they should be released by SA in a few weeks, which means about a month before availability. That's all for now.
Nice hearing from you.
Laurie

A month from now sounds better that 4th quarter.....

Sent a note to Amy P. at WMTW, here is the response. Not much new news but nice to have an update...

Dear Scott;

I am sorry to admit we don't have good news for you regarding HDTV on WMTW. We are still hopeful it may happen late this fall or early winter; there are many equipment upgrades necessary in order for us to pass through network HDTV.

Thank you for watching our channel 46 digital picture and please be patient
with us as we move forward into the world of HDTV!

Sincerely,

Amy Picucci
Program Coordinator
ABC 8 WMTW

I'm still hoping to see my Pats in HD at some point this year. It looks like WMTW (ABC) isn't going to cooperate with Monday Night Football this season, and until TWC comes through, CBS or ESPN won't be a reality either!

I'm trying to hook up my old rooftop antenna (it's gotta be from the 60's, at least) into my Hughes Directv HD box. I am getting the list of channels when i scan, but no signal at all from any of them. Am I doing something wrong, ro is the antenna just too ancient to pull stuff in? I am in Gardiner, so I could be too far away from the station towers....

Great forum, btw! Just got my HDTV a few weeks ago and am hungry for information!

Try using Antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org) to help you get an idea of what stations you can pull in and the direction. You also may wish to confirm that your antenna can do UHF (answer is most likely yes) as all the current DTV channels are in the UHF range. Plus if signal strength is a problem, a signal booster can help.

Originally posted by doctork25
I'm trying to hook up my old rooftop antenna (it's gotta be from the 60's, at least) into my Hughes Directv HD box. I am getting the list of channels when i scan, but no signal at all from any of them.

Throw the old antenna out. Most combo vhf/uhf have very small uhf sections. Get a UHF only antenna from winegard or channel master. The amp is optional. Amps do not increase signal, only stop signal loss from the antenna to the receiver. Direction is important as all 3 locals transmit from different locations.

Latest response to by monthly where's HD email to Laurie at TWC:

"I'm glad you came aboard! Here's the latest from my VP.

In order for us to carry any local broadcast stations HD signal, we must first obtain permission from those stations. At this time, we do not have permission from any of them. A couple of the local broadcast stations are owned by very large national corporations. They are in discussion with AOL Time Warner on a national level. Hopefully a reasonable agreement can be reached in the near future. Until then, we do not have permission to pass the HD signal on to our customers.

I believe we do have permission from the PBS station, and that we are working on the technical delivery of their signal to our distribution facilities via fiber. Hopefully we will see this service within the next 30 days or so. "

Can someone enlighten me as to what stations here are owned by larger corporations? I'm pretty sure none are Owned and Operated (O&O) by the the networks, which is whats hanging up the CBS deal at Comcast. Aren't the locals free to make their own decisions otherwise?

Not sure who can make what decisions but WGME is owned by Sinclair and WCSH is owned by Gannett. TW Maine has already carried WGME for the special Masters coverage (probably under some special arrangement but it has happened).

I sent Craig Clark at WGME an email regarding CBS football.

They will be showing the college football and NFL HD games on the HD feed regardless of what the "local interest" game is.

i.e. the Pats might be playing in the analog local interest game, but the Broncos might be the HD game and they will show it on the HD channel.


This is good news!


Joe

Dr. Joe, if I am understanding it correctly, that information supplied by Craig Clark seems to go against everything re: CBS NFL HD that has been reported on this board. Check this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=287275) for more details. Hopefully Craig is correct, but I fear not. Also, now that Comcast has folded and begun adding ESPN-HD (at no extra cost in some markets, I might add), we need to keep the pressure on TWC to do the same!

Well, in Austin last year, the CBS affiliate played the HD SEC College Football game of the week even when it was different than the "local interest" game broadcast on the analog channel.

I'm not sure why they think there is a problem with the idea of broadcasting seperate games; we will have to wait and find out, I guess.



Joe

Last year WGME did this - the HD feed on 13.2 and the analog on 13.1 even though they were different games.

More follow up on post #212:

Did some research to cross reference TW cable cos. with Sinclair and Gannett TV stations and found that 3 HD channels are carried on TW cable systems. Not sure how they circumvented the 'national level' negotiations but maybe we should also pressure the locals to 'grant' the permission needed for broadcast/distribution.

Gannett WFMY (CBS - 2) Greensboro, NC (520 on TWC)
Gannett WLTX (CBS - 19) Columbia, SC (810 on TWC)
Sinclair WXLV (ABC - 45) Greensboro, NC (530 on TWC)

Help in Maine for myhd-120 & ant. reception
First I purchased and put up a RS-120 uhf/vhf roof top antenna to get my locals ( I have Dishnetwork) I live in Portland and I am very happywith the PQ of CBS(wgme 13) NBC (wcsh 6) and ABC (wgan 8) all analog of the RS ant. I bought MYHD-120 TV tuner card (HD & analog). When I run the ant thru MYHD for the locals all I get is snow and a signal of 100% . I can not figure why I have great analog locals thru the TV but snow thru thr MYHD. I have tried testing fo HD but do not know if they are even being broadcast here in th Portland area. Can any one help me here? Going to go nuts trying to figure this one out.
John

Just recieved this update from Laurie @ TWC:

If you hadn't heard yet we will be carrying the US open in high definition: Here's the schedule it will be on channel 530.

9/1/03 7pm-11pm Men’s & Women’s 4th Rounds

9/2/03 11am-6pm Men’s 4th Rounds/Women’s Quarterfinals

9/2/03 7pm-11pm Men’s 4th Rounds/ Women’s Quarterfinals

9/3/03 11am-6pm Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals

9/3/03 7pm-11pm Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals

9/4/03 11am-5pm Mixed Doubles Final/Men’s Quarterfinals

9/4/03 7pm-11pm Men’s Quarterfinals/Women’s Doubles Semi


I then proceeded to beg her for ESPN and CBS in HD in time for football season.....

Another update from TWC:

Update: We will be adding 2 Indemand high def channels around Sept 15th! More info to follow!

Just wanted to chime in on the CBS game of the week. (And bump our formidable thread back up).

The HD feed on 13.2 was KC Chiefs v. SD Chargers game. The analog feed on 13.1 was Pats v. Bills. Was kind of disappointed that the Pats game wasn't in HD, but at least I was able to focus on the HD game, due to the miserable showing of the Pats. And the picture was AMAZING! At first I would switch back to the Pats game to see if they could get together at least one measly drive or not, but eventually gave up because the picture was as bad as the Pats offense (well, maybe not that bad...)

After seeing that picture, I really wish ABC & TW (and maybe even Fox?) would get their acts together in time for at least some of this season. Definitely looking forward to Sunday afternoons this year.

I decided that it was more fun to go outside and do yard work while listening the the Sox lose to the Yankees than to watch the rest of the Pats game. Yuck.
I do believe that next weeks Pats V Eagles game IS the HD game of the week. Having recently moved back to Maine from Philly, I can share with you that the new stadium down there has been completely wired for HD. I heard that the luxury boxes have HD sets in them. Regardlesss of the outcome, next weeks game should atleast look great!

Time Warner HD customers - anyone have the new INHD channels? If so, how do they look? What channel numbers?

Haven't got them yet at this house. Talked to a CSR today and he didn't know what they were. E-mailed Laurie and she said I should be viewing them, but I'm not. Told her the Banner said Not Authorized. She was going to check into it. As of now I still don't have them. Maybe tomorrow. She says they are free for now. I think they are eventually going to charge 5.95 per month for them. I'll kept everyone posted.

My CSR, while nice, was clueless on the new INHD channels. She had said that those were channels that they usually give previews on (Tennis etc.) but were not currently available. Are you So. Maine TWC customers getting anything other than SHO, HBO, DISC in HD? I am not. Also, my OTA reception has been excellent with just rabbit ears in the Saco area. DT* wants me to subscribe within 30 days though, I dont think that that will be enough time to decide between DT*, DI**, VOOM, or keep TWC. I told them I wanted to use the Zenigh for OTA for now...but they won't make an exception.

Just heard from Laurie and she tells me that they are still testing in the office and that they should be available shortly, whatever shortly is! It seems to me that since they have used INHD for the tennis a couple of weeks ago, that they shouldn't have to test too much, but what do I know. Maybe just another stall tactic. I sure hope it's soon. I'm missing baseball in HD!! I also have heard that they can use INHD2 to prempt for local sports. Do you think TWC will work a deal with NESN to show the rest of the SOX and the Bruins in HD? I haven't asked that question yet. I think she may be sick of hearing from me, but I'll keep writing. For the amount I pay for cable, Roadrunner and Digital Phone, I want more HD!!

I just got a note from Laurie too:

"It will be available shortly, we are waiting for confirmation to release them. Should be by month end"

Sure, they will wait until there is no baseball left in HD. It's just like ESPNHD and the locals, they will decide to carry them with one week left in the playoffs!! (Little tough in cheek!) There are other TWC companies showing INHD and INHD2 now!! They have had weeks to test it, INDemand has been playing previews on the channel since July! I don't understand that they need release approval. They are part owner of the channels. Comcast is showing it and even have the SOX in HD. Let's get with it TW of Southern Maine!!

INHD 1 & 2 has arrived!

I have subscribed to both channels as of this afternoon. They are available as part of a HD Tier that TWC is offering. Right now it is $9.95 per month and the first month is free. The CSR said they will be adding more channels to the Tier in the near future. PQ looks very good, presently have the Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky football replay on. First football game I've seen in HD and I'm pleased. Still looking for ESPNHD and the locals to show up.

Have you found any listing of what is on the two channels? The CSR I spoke to could only describe it in general terms, and and could not even give me a place to check what is available.

Bill,

The interactive guide shows the listing of programs for INHD, but as of yesterday INHD2 had no data available. If you go to http://www.inhd.com you will find the programming schedule for both channels.

I just noticed on a scan through the HD channels on TWC that 506 has appeared as HWCSH. I called customer service and they said it was in testing right now and should be available in a couple weeks. Some locals!
How long was the INHD testing? That should give us a good idea of the time frame.
I just realized I didn't ask if it was going to be part of the new HD Tier or not (because I've already bought it!)

I noticed the same thing tonight. It's good to start and see the locals coming alive. I would doubt that they would call that part of the HD Tier since it is a local with same programmimg on the analog side, but you never know what is in the back of TWCs mind. I too, have bought the HD Tier and wouldn't have thought to ask the question either. Let's hope for WGME next for the NFL!! Wouldn't mind seeing some of the Bruins in HD also. Don't know if Comcast has the exclusive rights to that or not.

In between innings I was cruising the TWC HD channels and found that WCSH-DT is up and running on 506. Law and Order in HD is on. Looks good!...but back to the Sox. I was hoping I'd find the bruins v NJ game hiding out in there on INHD or INHD2 :-) . No such luck.

Quick addendum: Checking the TWC web site and they've reverted the HDTV web site back to the old HBO/SHO "We've added Discovery!" site..odd. No mention of the HD Tier anymore with INHD1,2. Wierd.

It's good to hear that Channel 6 is added, as we can use more HD content. I am not sure what the long term plan is for INHD--now it just looks like sporting events you don't care about and old movies. If they could show current Sox, Patriots, Bruins (or similar) games or some more recent stuff in terms of movies, then it would be great! As it stands I am not sure it is worth keeping.

Does anyone have any news about what their plans are for programming?

Just a quick update for everyone....according to Laurie @ TWC the HD-DVR boxes are scheduled to arrive in December. She added that there was no new information on the addition of any new HD channels (I asked specifically about WGME-CBS and ESPN-HD).

I recently asked WMTW if they had any update regarding their upgrade to HD and they still maintain the "end of 2003/beginning of 2004" party line.

Also, anyone else experiencing audio problems on WGME-DT? I've noticed several times over the last few weeks that the audio will get choppy, almost a reverb of some sort. Eventually it seems to straighten itself out, but it can go on for 5-10 minutes at a stretch. Sometimes there's a sound that's best described as a vibration too. Anyone else?

Also, anyone else experiencing audio problems on WGME-DT? I've noticed several times over the last few weeks that the audio will get choppy, almost a reverb of some sort. Eventually it seems to straighten itself out, but it can go on for 5-10 minutes at a stretch. Sometimes there's a sound that's best described as a vibration too. Anyone else?

Yes,we've been seeing this alot on CSI Miami,Yes Dear.Still Standing etc. Signal Strength is in the 80's... It appears on 13-2 but not 13-1, strange.

KenV500 - thanks for confirming that I'm not going crazy (or alteast as it pertains to WGME!)

Extra info: TWC seems poised to add channel 510: HPBS. Not sure who's HD PBS feed it is, since I'm not sure which PBS is broadcasting HD. Maine PBS OTA only has the 4 digital channels, but no HD as far as I've seen. I would love to have it though. I miss it from my days in Philly! Some great HD. Anyone have more info?

just another quick update....as was reported here yesterday in the HDTV Programming forum and confirmed locally today on www.twmaine.com TWC will soon add HDNet and HDNet Movies to their HDTV tier. I have not signed up for the tier, $10 a month seems a little steep. Any reaction here to the INHD channels?

I think the quality of the signal with INHD is generally very good. The programming is hit or miss. I believe you can find the schedule at www.inhd.com

I agree. I was even thinking of cancelling the HD Tier just due to a lack of what I'd consider quality programming. Reruns of HD broadcasts of Div III football games doesn't quite keep me interested. I had been hoping that INHD (or TW?) would be picking up some of the NESN HD broadcasts. I don't know where I had heard they would, but for some reason I was under that impression. However I think I'll stick with it a while longer now that they have HDNet.
Now if only WMTW could finally go HD before the end of football season.....

As a side note, jkurlanski, the family ownership of WMTW just announced that they are putting the station up for sale. It will probably go to a major ownership group. I wonder how this will affect their conversion to DTV and if they are still on pace for a Q1'04 roll out......

I noticed that For Sale notice and thought the same thing. I guess it depends on where they are in the process. If they were truly looking to hit that "late 2003 early 2004" time mark, then they'd have to have already purchased the equipment and are going forward. If they haven't, I'd have to say we'll be lucky for HD next football season.
Back on the INHD part of this topic, Under the Rainbow is on! :) I consider that a classic, but thats probably just me.

Anybody heard as to when TWC was going to be rolling out the HDNet channels???

Not sure, balls75, but I'm also curious as to when they will be introducing the SA8000HD set top box to the Portland area......

If you are referring to the box with HD recording capability, I was told that it is being tried in Wisconsin first, and it would not be rolled out here until at least the end of January or February (and possibly later). But you never know . . .

alright I'm half kidding..but it would seem like our local TwC is kinda trolling for HD interest. Their web site clearly shows HDNET and HDNET movies being available now. The "call to order" on the corresponding channels would indicate the same. I recently canceled my HD Tier, because for $9.95 per month we were only getting INHD 1 &2. While still a bit of a rip-off, the HD Tier is a little more attractive with the HDNET stuff. I called to add back the HD Tier...no HDNET...I called and the "CSR" told me they were still in testing despite being offered as though they were currently available. She then said they were trying to generate interest by putting them out there. I don't think that is cool...I think alot of people lately have been dropping the HD Tier cuz with just the INHD channels it really isn't worth it...their solution....string folks along and lie...not cool...sorry for the rant.